Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in the radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods The clinical data of 140 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 2011 to June 2013 were prospectively analyzed.A double-blind,randomized,controlled study was performed in the 140 patients,and all of them were divided into the ERAS group (patients undergoing perioperative management according to enhanced recovery rehabilitation program) and the control group (patients undergoing perioperative management) based on a random numble table.The inflammatory markers,nutritional index and postoperative recovery of patients were observed.Patients of the ERAS group were followed up by telephone interview within the first 24 hours after discharge,and by outpatient examination since the second week after discharge.The follow-up was ended at postoperative day 30.Patients of the control group were reexamined at the third week after discharge.The measurement data with normal distribution was presented as x ± s.The comparison between groups was evaluated with an independent sample t test.The trend analyses for variables were done using repeated measures ANOVA.The count data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability.Results Eighty patients were screened for eligibility,and were allocated into the ERAS group (40 patients) and the control group (40 patients).The total protein in serum (TP),albumin (Alb),prealbumin,TNF-α,IL-6,c-reactive protein,resting energy expenditure (REE),glycemic index,insulin index and Insulin resistance index in the 2 groups showed a range of variations at postoperative day 1,3,and 5,and these were (61 ±5)g/L,(34 ±3)g/L,(160 ± 18)g/L,(12.3 ±2.3)mmol/L,(101 ±34)ng/L,(43 ± 11)g/L,(1 336 ± 105)kal/d,(7.6 ±0.8)mmol/L,(16.8 ±3.5)mU/L and 5.7 ±1.3 in the ERAS group at postoperative day 1,and (58 ± 4) g/L,(31 ± 4) g/L,(147 ± 18) g/L,(15.3 ± 2.2) mmol/L,(122 ±37)ng/L,(56 ±27) g/L,(1 450 ± 164)kal/d,(9.3 ± 1.4) mmol/L,(30.5 ±6.8) mU/L and 12.5 ±3.2 in the control group,respectively,showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (F =31.63,8.03,67.36,147.04,9.63,6.84,16.10,54.85,104.51,139.47,P ＜0.05).The duration of fever,time to flatus,duration of hospital stay,hospital expenses,numeric rating scale and quality of life (QOL) were (2.9 ±0.9) days,(2.9 ± 0.6) days,(7.6 ± 2.1) days,(28 495 ± 4 722) yuan,1.4 ± 1.0 and 15.4 ± 0.9 in the ERAS group after operation,and (3.8 ±0.6)days,(3.5 ±0.7)days,(8.9 ±2.6)days,(35 318 ±7 610)yuan,2.4 ± 1.1 and 14.4 ± 1.2 in the control group,respectively,with a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =-0.91,-3.66,-2.85,-4.82,-4.20,3.92,P ＜0.05).Two patients were complicated with respiratory diseases,1 patient received reoperation and 1 was readmitted to the hospital at postoperative day 30 in the ERAS group.Three patients had respiratory diseases,1 received reoperation and 2 were readmitted to the hospital at postoperative day 30 in the control group,with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions ERAS is safe and feasible for the perioperative treatment of patients with gastric cancer,meanwhile it could reduce the surgical stress,shorten the duration of hospital stay and improve QOL and postoperative complications,ERAS might take effects by reducing insulin resistance and decreasing REE.Registry This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registry number of ChiCTR-TRC-10001611.

Background and purpose:Whether axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (ASLNB) could replace axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients who converted after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) from cN+ to ycN0 is still contentious, and the previous study only evaluated the pathological status of ALN without internal mammary lymph node (IMLN) condition. This study is to evaluate roles of ASLNB and internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) in breast cancer patients after NAC.Methods:From Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2014, 60 breast cancer cT1-4N0-3M0patients who were scheduled for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and agreed to accept surgery after NAC from our department were enrolled into the retrospective study. Patients with cN0 before NAC and ycN0 after NAC underwent ASLNB (group A). Patients with cN+ received NAC and ycN0 after NAC (group B) were treated with ASLNB and ALND. Only patients whose clinical nodal status remained positive (ycN+) after NAC underwent ALND without ASLNB (group C). All the patients received radiotracer injection and patients in group A and group B received blue dye injection additionally. Meanwhile, IM-SLNB would be performed for all patients with IM-SLN visualization.Results:The number of patients enrolled in group A, group B and group C was 6, 45 and 9 cases respectively. The accuracy rate of ASLNB in group A was 100% (6/6). Only one patient was axillary sentinel lymph node (ASLN) positive performed ALND. With combination of blue dye and radiolabeled colloid, the accuracy rate of ASLNB in group B was 100% (48/48) and the false negative rate (FNR) was 17.9% (5/28). The FNR in patients with 1, 2 and>2 SLNs examined was 27.3% (3/11), 20.0% (2/10) and 0% (0/7). All of the ALNs were positive in group C. The visualization rate of IM-SLN was 63.3% (38/60). The detection rate of IM-SLNB was 97.4% (37/38) and the metastasis rate was 8.1% (3/37). The incidence of complications was 5.3% (2/38).Conclusion:ASLNB can be performed either before or after preoperative chemotherapy for patients with cN0 disease. Among women with cN+ converted to ycN0 who had 3 or more SLNs examined, the FNR could return to be less than 10%. Those patients whose nodes are still ycN+ should perform ALND. IM-SLNB should be performed routinely in all breast cancer patients after NAC, for it might help to make clear of the nodal staging and the pathological status of IM-SLN and provide the accurate indication of radiation to the internal mammary area in case of under-stage and under-/over-treatment, expecting to develop the deifnition of pathological complete response (pCR).

Background and purpose:Sentinel lymph node biopsy is regarded as the standard of care in pa-tients without clinical axillary lymph node metastases in early-stage breast cancer. Accurate detection of sentinel lymph node is an important step for staging, prognosis, and treatment. In this study, a new sentinel lymph node tracer was produced by the rituximab to combine with the lfuorescence tracer (indocyanine green, ICG), and to identify the most appropriate combination ratio of the two agents. Its biological property and safety limitation were evaluated.Methods:Rituximab was combined directly with ICG. The new tracer was analyzed for labeled rate by instant thin-layer chroma-tography-silica gel, molecular integrity by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular immune activity by ELLAS. The safety limitation was tested according to the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The localization ability of sentinel lymph node was tested in mice.Results:The new tracer was intact and kept the immune activity of rituximab. The ICG labeled rate of rituximab was 100%. The new tracer was bacteria and pyogen free, and was safe to body with location injection. The most appropriate combination ratio of rituximab and ICG was 4∶1 and 6∶1 with the best sentinel lymph node imaging. The location of sentinel lymph node identiifed by the new tracer was accorded with the radiotracer.Conclusion:The preparation method of the new sentinel lymph node tracer is simple and no radioactive injury. The new tracer has no bacteria, no pyogen and no acute toxicity, and can be used in sentinel lymph node visual-ization.

Objective To verify the accuracy of the modified technique for internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy ( IM-SLNB) in breast cancer .Methods In the validation study , the radiotracer was injected with the modified technique , and fluorescence tracer was injected into the peritumoral breast tissue .The radioac-tive IM-SLN was identified by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and γprobe.The radioactive IM-SLN received bi-opsy during operation .The status of the fluorescence tracer was identified by the fluorescence imaging system . Results A total of 162 patients were enrolled from Sep .2013 to Dec.2014.IM-SLNB was performed in 110 pa-tients.The radiotracer and the fluorescence tracer were identified in the same IM-SLN in 94 cases, and the con-cordance rate was 85.5%(Case-base, Spearman coefficient correlation 0.823, P<0.001).Conclusion Dif-ferent tracers injected into the different sites of the intra-parenchyma can reach the same IM-SLN, proving the ac-curacy of the modified technique and the hypothesis of IM-SLN lymphatic drainage pattern ( IM-SLN receives not only the lymphatic drainage from the primary tumor area but the entire breast parenchyma ) .

H7N9 avian influenza is the latest subtype of influenza virus to emerge in the world. By April 17, 2013 in Shanghai, a total of 31 confirmed cases were reported, and 11 of these patients died. The epidemiological characteristics and the clinical progress of this new human flu infection are still not clear. Thirteen confirmed patients have now been treated in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. Among the first batch of patients, hospitalised at the beginning of April 2013, two who were admitted with the same estimated date of onset of disease had very different outcomes. After active treatment at the Centre, one recovered by April 18, 2013, but one patient entered critical condition and died on April 11, 2013. The clinical and laboratory characteristics in hospital are here analysed and compared to learn more about H7N9 avian influenza. Confirmation that the observed differences are valuable for prognosis and treatment decisions for H7N9 patients awaits authentication by analysis of more patients.
Influenza in Birds ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Communicable Diseases ; Laboratories

One hundred and forty-five patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) admitted from 2006 to 2013 were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of PA was confirmed by upright furosemide test and all patients met the following criteria: ① round-or oval-shaped lesion of low density with diameter>1 cm in one adrenal gland shown in contrast CT scan; ② no lesion or abnormality in contralateral adrenal gland; ③serum potassium level<3.5 mmol/L. Of 145 patients, 106 underwent total adrenalectomy, 36 partial adrenalectomy and 3 tumor enucleation. Serum potassium was (2.75±0.55) mmol/L before and (4.03±0.46) after surgery. Potassium was normalized after treatment in 141 cases (97.2％) with correction or improvement in hypertension; 4 patients (2.8％) remained hypokalemic and received spironolactone. Patients with normalized potassium were followed up for a medium period of 74 months (22—103 months), of whom 32 (22.7％) dropped off; the remaining 109 (77.3％) patients did not have hypokalemia. Multivariate linear correlation analysis showed that serum potassium level was negatively correlated with tumor diameter (r=?0.273,95％ CI:?0.086—?0.564, P=0.026) and basal serum aldosterone level (r=?0.261,95％ CI:?0.047— ?0.514, P=0.036). In PA patients with unilateral adrenal macroadenoma and hypokalemia, satisfactory surgical resolution can be achieved without adrenal venous sampling in majority of patients.

The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Dirofilaria immitis infection in cats from Liaoning province, northeastern China. From October 2014 to September 2016, sera of 651 cats, including 364 domestic cats and 287 feral cats (332 females and 319 males) were assessed. They were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using SNAP Heartworm RT test kit. In this population, the average prevalence was 4.5%. Age and rearing conditions (feral or domestic) were found to be associated with the prevalence of D. immitis. The prevalence was significantly higher in feral cats compared with domestic cats (8.4% vs 1.4%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between males and females (4.7% vs 4.2%, P>0.05), but older cats (≥3 years old) showed a statistically higher prevalence compared with younger cats ( < 3 years old) in feral populations (16.8 vs 2.4%, P < 0.01), while the difference between the age groups was not statistically significant in domestic cats (2.4% vs 0.51%, P>0.05), all these results suggest that outdoor exposure time may be one of the most important factors for D. immitis prevalence in cats. Results reveal that D. immitis are prevalence in domestic and feral cats in northeastern China, which indicates that appropriate preventive measures should be taken to decrease the incidence of feline heartworm disease in Liaoning province, northeastern China.
Animals ; Cats* ; China* ; Dirofilaria immitis* ; Dirofilaria* ; Dirofilariasis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

Leishmaniasis is a prevalent cause of death and animal morbidity in underdeveloped countries of endemic area. However, there is few vaccine and effective drugs. Antimicrobial peptides are involved in the innate immune response in many organisms and are being developed as novel drugs against parasitic infections. In the present study, we synthesized a 5-amino acid peptide REDLK, which mutated the C-terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin, to identify its effect on the Leishmania tarentolae. Promastigotes were incubated with different concentration of REDLK peptide, and the viability of parasite was assessed using MTT and Trypan blue dye. Morphologic damage of Leishmania was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Cellular apoptosis was observed using the annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit and flow cytometry. Our results showed that Leishmania tarentolae was susceptible to REDLK in a dose-dependent manner, disrupt the surface membrane integrity and caused parasite apoptosis. In our study, we demonstrated the leishmanicidal activity of an antimicrobial peptide REDLK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Leishmania tarentolae in vitro and present a foundation for further research of anti-leishmanial drugs.

Objective:To investigate the influence of perioperative probiotics supplement on short-term clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with radical gastrectomy.Methods:The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 80 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with radical gastrectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July 2020 to September 2021 were selected. Based on random number table, patients were allocated into two groups. Patients undergoing perioperative probiotics supplement were allocated into the experiment group, and patients undergoing perioperative conventional treatment were allocated into the control group, respectively. Observation indicators: (1) grouping situations of the enrolled patients; (2) intraoperative situations; (3) follow-up and postoperative situations; (4) inflammation related hematological indexes. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview and outpatient examina-tion to detect postoperative complications and startup of adjuvant chemotherapy up to October 31,2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Repeated measurement data were analyzed by the repeated ANOVA or generalized estimating equation. Results:(1) Grouping situations of the enrolled patients. A total of 80 patients were selected for eligibility. There were 51 males and 29 females, aged 64(42-80)years. Of the 80 patients, there were 40 patients in the experiment group and 40 patients in the control group, respectively. (2) Intraoperative situations. All patients in the experiment group and the control group underwent radical gastrectomy successfully. Cases with yield pathologic TNM (ypTNM) stage 0, stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲ after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, cases undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy or Da Vinci robotic radical gastrectomy, the operation time, the volume of intraoperative blood loss, cases undergoing digestive tract recons-truction as Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis or Roux-en-Y anastomosis were 2, 7, 15, 13, 19, 21,205(180-240)minutes, 50(30-60)mL, 6, 34 in the experiment group, versus 4, 6, 12, 16, 23, 17, 218(190-251)minutes, 50(43-60)mL, 11, 29 in the control group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( U=683.00, χ2=0.80, U=668.00, 681.00, χ2=1.87, P>0.05). (3) Follow-up and postoperative situations. All the 80 patients were followed up for 1 month after surgery. Cases with postoperative infectious complications were 6 in the experiment group, versus 15 in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=5.23, P<0.05). The application of antimicrobial agent, time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative first defecation, time to tolerance of solid food, duration of postoperative hospital stay, time to postopera-tive startup of adjuvant chemotherapy were 3(3-6)doses, 53(49-66)hours, 72(62-82)hours, (72±18)hours, 6.0(5.5-7.0)days, 26.0(25.0-28.0)days in the experiment group, versus 6(3-10)doses, 66(60-88)hours, 94(82-112)hours, (107±23)hours, 7.0(6.4-8.3)days, 30.0(28.0-33.0)days in the control group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( U=471.50, 432.00, 343.50, t=-7.62, U=411.50, 319.50, P<0.05). (4) Inflam-mation related hematological indexes. ① The white blood cell counts before surgery and at postoperative day 1, 3, 5 were (5.6±1.4)×10 9/L, (9.9±3.2)×10 9/L, (7.7±2.6)×10 9/L, (6.8±1.8)×10 9/L in the experiment group, versus (6.1±1.9)×10 9/L, (12.3±2.9)×10 9/L, (9.7±3.6)×10 9/L, (7.8±2.7)×10 9/L in the control group, meeting the mauchly′s test of sphericity ( χ2=4.17, P>0.05). Results of intrasubject effect test showed that there were significant differences in the time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect of white blood cell counts between the two groups ( F=106.61, 10.45, 4.56, P<0.05). ② The neutrophilic granulocyte percentages before surgery and at postoperative day 1, 3, 5 were 55%±10%, 76%±11%, 73%±9%, 69%±9% in the experiment group, versus 56%±9%, 84%±5%, 79%±8%, 74%±9% in the control group, not meeting the mauchly′s test of sphericity ( χ2=16.63, P<0.05). Results of multi-variate test showed that there were significant differences in the time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect of neutrophilic granulocyte percentages between the two groups ( F=92.42, 11.46, 5.55, P<0.05). ③ The levels of C-reactive protein before surgery and at postoperative day 1, 3, 5 were 1.35(1.15-1.97)mg/L, 14.94(8.24-21.22)mg/L, 33.39(13.02-66.02)mg/L, 18.36(8.27-60.43)mg/L in the experiment group, versus 1.62(0.97-2.27)mg/L, 24.03(10.42-36.52)mg/L, 81.66(31.20-116.76)mg/L, 46.84(28.30-80.26)mg/L in the control group, not meeting the normal distribution. Results of generalized estimation equation test showed that there were significant differences in the time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect of levels of C-reactive protein between the two groups ( Waldχ2=145.74, 9.48, 9.90, P<0.05). ④ The levels of procalcitonin before surgery and at postoperative day 1, 3, 5 were 0.02(0.02-0.04)μg/L, 0.08(0.06-0.12)μg/L, 0.12(0.07-0.21)μg/L, 0.09(0.06-0.15)μg/L in the experiment group, versus 0.02(0.02-0.04)μg/L, 0.14(0.07-0.71)μg/L, 0.35(0.14-0.71)μg/L, 0.24(0.10-0.48)μg/L in the control group, not meeting the normal distribution. Results of generalized estimation equation test showed that there were signifi-cant differences in the time effect, intervention effect and interaction effect of levels of procalcitonin between the two groups ( Waldχ2=62.88, 14.71, 18.33, P<0.05). Conclusion:Perioperative supple-ment of probiotics can reduce the incidence of postoperative infectious com-plications and the application of antimicrobial agent, promote recovery of gastrointestinal function, reduce the level of inflammation related indexes, shorten the duration of postoperative hospital stay and the time to postoperative startup of chemotherapy in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with radical gastrectomy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by increased fat depositions in the liver while the patients do not have drinking history.NAFLD has a prevalence of 10％ ～40％ in global,25％ ～26％ in Western populations.From 2004 to 2013,the numbers of new patients on the waitlist who had NASH increased by 170％ in America.The prevalence of NAFLD in China is 20％.With the decrease of HBV and HCV and the increase of diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity,NAFLD will become the most common chronic liver disease in China over the next 20 years.NAFLD related end-stage liver disease will become the most common indication of liver transplantation.In this paper,the epidemiological features,pathogenesis,indication and prognosis of liver transplantation are reviewed.