Objective To investigate the value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS)in the treatment of coagulated hemothorax.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study.Between July 2005 and July 2007,62 patients with coagulated hemothorax were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into VATS and traditional thoracotomy groups(31 in each).The pathophysiological parameters of the two grups were compared.Results No significant difference in the sex,age,property and location of the wound,and rate of complicated injuries was noticed between the two groups.The mean operation time,duration of postoperative drainage,and postoperative hospital stay of the VATS group were significantly shorter than those in the traditional group [(52.1?24.4)min vs(120.2?47.2)min,t=-7.136,P=0.000;(1.7?0.7)d vs(4.8?1.8)d,t=-8.937,P=0.000;and(12.6?2.4)d vs(18.0?8.9)d,t=-3.262,P=0.002;respectively];and the mean intraoperative blood loss and the volume of thoracic drainage of the VATS group were significantly lower than those in the traditional group [(137.1?14.6)ml vs(203.2?53.4)ml,t=-6.648,P=0.000;and(181.3?37.9)ml vs(253.9?64.0)ml,t=-5.435,P=0.000,respectively].No significant difference in the rate of complications existed between the two groups(0 vs 1 case,?2=0.000,P=0.000).Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopy is feasible and safe for coagulated hemothorax and is worth being widely used.

To study the function of lipoprotein lipase (LPL)with Asn291 Ser and Lys312insC compound mutation in LPL gene knockout heterozygous (LPL~(+/-)) mice. The results showed that triglycerides, free fatty acids, blood glucose and weight of LPL~(+/-) mice were higher than those of c57 mice(P<0. 05). The expressions of LPL Mrna and LPL protein of LPL~(+/-) group were lower than those of c57 group(P<0.05). The injection of Asn291Ser +Lys312insC protein caused little change of the lipid mass and LPL activity,but the injection of normal LPL protein induced obvious decrease of lipid mass and increase of the LPL activity.

Objective To elucidate the clinical features of nutcracker syndrome complicated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and to increase its level of diagnosis and treatment. Methods Clinical data of 14 cases of nutcracker syndrome complicated with IgA nephropathy (patient group) and 36 cases of nutcracker syndrome (control group) were analyzed retrospectively. Nutcracker syndrome was diagnosed by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and IgAN by renal biopsy. Differences of clinical data and images in two groups were analyzed. Results Gender, age and blood pressure of two groups were not significantly different. Higher Scr level [(81.2±21.3) μmol/L vs (61.2±11.8) μmol/L, P<0.01], more severe proteinuria [(1.1 ± 0.6) g/d vs (0.3±0.2) g/d, P<0.01] and hematuria (2.3±0.9 vs 1.5±1.3, P<0.05) in patient group were found. Differences of ultrasonography and MRA in two groups were not significant. Conclusion Renal biopsy should be considered in cases of nutcracker syndrome with persistence of proteinuria, hematuria or abnormal morphology of urinary red blood cell.

A novel method was established for the qualitative and quantitative determination of fatty acids in Channel Catfish muscle by gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) after supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction (SFE-CO_2). The extraction parameters for the methodology were optimized). The optimal conditions were extraction pressure of 25 MPa at 45 ℃ and extraction time of 100 min at the rate of carbon dioxide 30 L/h. The fatty acids in the muscle oil were derived by boron-trifluoride method). The saponification time was 10 min, and the esterication time was 20 min. The obtained fatty acid methylesters were separated by gas chromatography using a HP-Innowax capillary column, and were detected by electron) ionization) mass spectrometry. Full scan mode and SIM mode were used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis), respectively. In the SIM mode, saturated fatty acids were determined with m/z 74, mono-unsaturated) fatty acids were determined with m/z 55, double-unsaturated fatty acids were determined with m/z 67, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were determined with m/z 79. The detection limits of 14 fatty acids were 2.2-20.0 μg/L(S/N=3)), and the quantitative limits were 7.39-59.85 μg/L(S/N=10). The recoveries fell in the range from 90.0% to 111.2%(n=4), and the relative standard deviation was between) 2.0% and 5.9%. This effective, sensitive and reproducible method can be used for the determination of fatty acids in Channel Catfish muscle sample.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum miR-122-5p and FOXO3 levels and osteoporosis (OP) in postmenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) .Methods:The clinical data and serum of 30 postmenopausal women with NAFLD and 48 postmenopausal women with no-NAFLD were collected. The levels of miR-122-5p and FOXO3 in serum were detected by qRT-PCR. Triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins were detected by biochemical autoanalyzer. The bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae 1-4, Wards triangular bone, femoral neck, greater trochanter and total hip was detected by bone mineral density analyzer. The correlation between the above clinical indicators and OP was analyzed.Results:The expression of miR-122-5p in postmenopausal female NAFLD patients (0.76±0.28) was lower than that in non-NAFLD patients (1±0.31) ( t=3.43, P=0.001) . The downstream target gene FOXO3 of miR-122-5p was identified by bioinformatics website analysis. The expression of FOXO3 in postmenopausal female NAFLD patients (1.31±0.30) was higher than that in non-NAFLD patients (1±0.27) ( t=4.73, P<0.001) . Student’ s t test and Logistic regression analysis showed that triglyceride, miR-122-5p and FOXO3 levels were risk factors for NAFLD (all P<0.05) . Pearson correlation coefficient showed that miR-122-5p level was significantly positively correlated with BMD of femoral neck ( r=0.488, P=0.006) , greater trochanter ( r=0.367, P=0.046) and whole hip ( r=0.404, P=0.027) . FOXO3 level was negatively correlated with bone mineral density of femoral neck ( r=-0.445, P=0.014) and whole hip ( r=-0.507, P=0.004) , while other indexes were not significantly correlated (all P>0.05) . Conclusion:Decreased serum miR-122-5p level and increased FOXO3 level in postmenopausal women with NAFLD may increase the risk of OP.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer (HR+/HER2-BC) and the impact of NAFLD on the survival of patients.Methods:54 HR+BC patients were enrolled in this study. The liver fat accumulation was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients were divided into two groups: non-NAFLD and NAFLD. Student's t test or Fisher's test was used to analyze the clinical indicators of the two groups. Logistic univariate and multivariate tests were used to analyze the clinical risk factors related to NAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to further analyze the sensitivity of clinical risk factors to predict the diagnosis of NAFLD. The Disease-free survival (DFS) and Overall survival (OS) of the two groups were analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results:There were 22 NAFLD patients and 32 non-NAFLD patients diagnosed by MRI. Student's t test or Fisher's test showed that BMI, waist circumference, AST, ALT, GGT, TG, LDL and HDL were statistically different between the two groups (all P<0.05). Logistic univariate and multivariate analysis showed that AST ( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.007), GGT ( OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P=0.038), TG ( OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P=0.011) and HDL ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P=0.037) were the risk factors associated with NAFLD. ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of AST, GGT, TG and HDL had high sensitivity in predicting NAFLD (AUC=0.869, P<0.05). There was no difference in DFS ( HR=1.830, 95% CI: 0.983-3.409, P=0.057) or OS ( HR=2.482, 95% CI: 0.761-8.093, P=0.132) between the two groups. Conclusion:AST, GGT, TG and HDL are the independent risk factors for NAFLD in HR+BC patients during treatment, but concurrent NAFLD has no significant effect on DFS or OS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of peripheral blood long non-coding RNA-LET (lncRNA-LET) in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis, and to provide a basis for early clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 175 CHB patients who attended The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from March 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled, among whom 52 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were enrolled as cirrhosis group and 123 patients without the pathological changes of liver cirrhosis were enrolled as non-cirrhosis group. A total of 40 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as normal control group. Liver function parameters and the level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood were measured for all subjects. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of ranked data. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis. Results Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of the liver function parameters total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acid (TBA), albumin (Alb), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of cholinesterase (ChE) (P＜0.05); compared with the non-cirrhosis group, the cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of ChE (P＜0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood (P＜0.05), and the cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood than the non-cirrhosis group (P＜0.05). The relative expression of lncRNA-LET decreased significantly with the increase in liver fibrosis stage (P＜0.05). In the patients with CHB, the relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood was negatively correlated with liver fibrosis stage, TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (r=-0.352,-0.372,-0.364, and -0.410, all P＜0.001) and was positively correlated with ChE (r=0.340, P＜0.001). The ROC curve was used to analyze the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0934, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.833, a sensitivity of 84.57%, and a specificity of 80.57%. ConclusionThe expression level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood decreases with the progression of liver fibrosis and has a good value in the diagnosis of CHB cirrhosis, and therefore, it can be used as a potential biological indicator for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.

Objective·To explore the correlation between comorbidities of chronic non-communicable diseases(chronic diseases),phase angle(PhA),and muscle mass decline associated with sarcopenia in the elderly,and the predictive value of chronic disease comorbidities and PhA in muscle mass decline in the elderly.Methods·By retrospectively screening inpatients aged≥60 years who were admitted to the Department of Geriatrics,Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from August 1,2018 to July 31,2019,basic information and medical history of the patients(gender,age,number of medications used,number of comorbidities,presence of osteoporosis,smoking history,etc.)were collected,as well as laboratory examination indicators(hemoglobin,albumin,serum creatinine,serum uric acid,ferritin,vitamin D,triacylglycerol,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein,etc.).The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)was calculated.The InBody S10 bioelectrical impedance body composition detector was used to test the body composition.Body mass index(BMI),skeletal muscle mass index(SMI),and PhA were collected.Some patients underwent measurement of grip strength.Muscle mass decline was diagnosed by using the SMI values recommended by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS)(≤7.0 kg/m2 for males and≤5.7 kg/m2 for females).According to the measured SMI values,patients were divided into a group with normal muscle mass and a group with muscle mass decline.Univariate and multivariate Logistic analyses were employed to investigate the risk factors associated with muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly.Additionally,the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve were utilized to predict the significance of these factors in muscle mass decline.Results·A total of 359 chronic disease patients were enrolled,including 226 males and 133 females.There were 241 cases in the normal muscle mass group and 118 cases in the muscle mass decline group.The incidence of muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly was 32.9%.The univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.036,95%CI 1.013?1.060),comorbidities(OR=1.117,95%CI 1.025?1.217),aCCI(OR=1.123,95%CI 1.031?1.222),and high-density lipoprotein(OR=3.688,95%CI 2.065?6.622)were positively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly.BMI(OR=0.514,95%CI 0.443?0.597),PhA(OR=0.195,95%CI 0.126?0.303),hemoglobin(OR=0.984,95%CI 0.972?0.996)and triacylglycerol(OR=0.606,95%CI 0.424?0.866)were negatively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly.Multivariate Logistic regression model indicated that PhA(OR=0.338,95%CI 0.119?0.959)and BMI(OR=0.634,95%CI 0.476?0.844)were negatively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in elderly.The area under the ROC curve for predicting muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in elderly by using BMI and PhA was 0.893(95%CI 0.855?0.931)and 0.786(95%CI 0.736?0.837),respectively.The sensitivity was 0.724 and 0.676,respectively.The specificity was 0.916 and 0.762,respectively.When BMI combined with PhA predicted muscle mass decline in the elderly,the area under the ROC curve was 0.917(95%CI 0.883?0.951).The sensitivity was 0.867,and the specificity was 0.860.Conclusion·aCCI is correlated with muscle mass decline associated with sarcopenia in the elderly.As BMI and PhA decrease,the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly increases.The combination of BMI and PhA has a high predictive value in muscle mass decline in the elderly.No predictive value of chronic diseases comorbidities in muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly is found.

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression profile and immunofluorescence localization of the major egg antigen p40 of Schistosoma japonicum (Sjp40) during granuloma formation in the liver of infected New Zealand white rabbits.

METHODSNew Zealand white rabbits were infected with S. japonicum cercariae, and the livers were harvested at 29 and 45 days post-infection (dpi). The total RNA of the liver tissues was extracted for expression profiling of Sjp40 by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) with GAPDH of S. japonicum as the endogenous reference gene. The expression of Sjp40 in the liver were detected by Western blotting using anti-Sjp40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 9G7 or anti-Toxoplasma gondii tSAG1 mAb Y3A8 (control) as the primary antibody. Paraffin sections of the liver were prepared for observing egg granuloma formation using HE staining and for indirect immunofluorescence assay of Sjp40 location in the trapped eggs and egg granulomas.

RESULTSThe level of Sjp40 mRNA in the eggs trapped in rabbit livers was significantly higher at 45 dpi than that at 29 dpi (P<0.05), and Western blotting confirmed the presence of Sjp40 protein in the rabbit livers at both 29 and 45 dpi. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated localized expression of Sjp40 in the immature eggs in the rabbit liver at 29 dpi, but at 45 dpi fluorescence was detected in clusters of mature eggs containing miracidium and in the surrounding egg granulomas.

CONCLUSIONSThe transcriptional levels of Sjp40 significantly increased with the maturation of eggs trapped in the rabbit livers. Sjp40 protein spread from the eggs to the surrounding egg granuloma at 45 dpi when acute liver granulomatous lesions occur, suggesting that Sjp40 plays a key role in egg granulomas formation in the livers of infected New Zealand white rabbits.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antigens, Helminth ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Granuloma ; parasitology ; Helminth Proteins ; metabolism ; Liver ; parasitology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rabbits ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Schistosomiasis japonica

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of individualized rituximab rescue therapy for active lupus nephritis with acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:The clinical data of lupus nephritis patients with AKI treated with rituximab at the Kidney Disease Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2017 to June 2020 were collected, and the renal remission rate and adverse events after rituximab treatment were analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence of patients' remission.Results:There were 13 patients enrolled, including 8 females, and aged (35.23±15.92) years old. The urinary protein/creatinine ratio was (5.22±1.57) g/g before rituximab treatment. Four patients were on dialysis at admission, and 9 patients without dialysis had serum creatinine of (223.22±85.73) μmol/L. Eight patients were confirmed as proliferative lupus nephritis by renal biopsies, including 7 cases with crescent formation and 1 case with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), and the other 5 cases without renal biopsies were clinically diagnosed as TMA. The dose of rituximab was (815±516) mg (200-2 100 mg), and all the patients reached the state of peripheral blood B cells clearance (CD19 + B cell count was<5/μl). After the first treatment of rituximab, the median time to B-cell clearance was 21(15, 35) days, and 8 patients reached B-cell depletion (CD19 + B cell count was 0). The remission rate was 12/13 (two cases reached complete remission, and 10 cases reached partial remission). Three cases stopped dialysis, and 1 case (with glomerulosclerosis of 52.94%) entered maintaining dialysis. The relapse times in the maintenance remission period of 7 patients with refractory lupus nephritis declined significantly from (1.57±0.53) times in a median history of 60(20, 109) months to (0.43±0.79) times in a median history of 18(10, 23) months after the use of rituximab ( P=0.015). After using rituximab, the incidence of infection was 7/13. The median time from the use of rituximab to infection was 26(4, 44) days. Pulmonary infection (5/13) was the most common type and all infected patients recovered after anti-infection treatment. Conclusions:Rituximab can be used in the treatment of active lupus nephritis with AKI, especially in patients with crescent formation and TMA, but the infection should be paid close attention to and prevented.