Objective To analyze the results of echinococcosis surveillance in Yixing City from 2011 to 2018, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in the city. Methods All echinococcosis cases reported in Yixing City since 2007 that were captured from the China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention received a case study, and serological test and transabdominal B-mode ultrasound screening were performed among permanent residents and mutton market workers in Fangdong and Fangzhuang villages of Yixing City from 2011 to 2018. The cyst, mass and tubercle were detected in the liver and lung of the sheep from the mutton markets, and the Echinococcus coproantigen was detected in the canine stool samples from Fangdong and Fangzhuang villages. In addition, the awareness of echinococcosis prevention and control knowledge was investigated in the two villages using a questionnaire survey from 2011 to 2018. Results A total of 7 cases with echinococcosis had been reported in Yixing City since 2007, with prevalence of 0.56/100 000, and all cases were E. granulosus-infected patients, including 2 cases with a history to travel to echinococcosis-endemic areas and 5 cases with a history of working in local mutton markets or dog contacts. From 2011 to 2018, a total of 1 861 residents received serological tests, with 0.54% seropositivity, and no seropositives were detected since 2016. Among the 1 807 individuals receiving transabdominal B-mode ultrasound screening, suspected cysts were found in 143 individuals (7.91%), and 1.40% (2/143) seropositivity was detected in these individuals. The mean positive rate of the Echinococcus coproantigen was 0.67% (3 /446) in the canine stool samples. Among the 4 010 sheep liver and lung specimens sampled from the mutton markets, 7 specimens (0.17%) were detected with cysts or tubercles. In addition, the mean awareness rate of echinococcosis prevention and control knowledge was 76.95% among the 538 subjects receiving questionnaire surveys from 2011 to 2018, and the overall awareness appeared a tendency towards a rise year after year. Conclusions Although the prevalence of echinococcosis and the seropositivity of anti-Echinococcus antibodies are low, there is still a risk of transmission of echinococcosis in Yixing City. The surveillance of echinococcosis should continue to be intensified and related control interventions are required.

This study was purposed to investigate the expression of miR-16 in T lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) and its relation with target therapy and prognosis. The CD3, cCD3, CD10, CD20, CD34, CD43, CD99, TdT, PAX-5, BCL-2 and Ki67 in paraffin samples from 38 cases of T-LBL/ALL were detected by immunohistochemical labeling; the miR-16 expression level was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Fifteen cases of reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes were selected as control. The results indicated that among 38 cases of T-LBL/ALL the positive rate of TdT was highest (94.7%), the positive rate of CD34 was lowest (22.1%), the PAX-5 and CD20 were found to be negative. The Ki67 expression level in 39.5% cases exceeded 80%. As compared with reactive hyperplasia of lymph node, the miR-16 expression in T-LBL/ALL was up-regulated, ant its expression level was 4.87-fold of reactive hyperplasia of lymph node (P < 0.05). The overall survival rate in group of miR-16 high expression decreased (P < 0.05). The prognosis of T-LBL/ALL patients with BCL-2 positive expression was better than that of patients with BCL-2 negative expression (P < 0.05). The miR-16 expression correlated with BCL-2 protein (r = 0.51, P < 0.05). It is concluded that the overall survival rate in miR-16 high expression group is higher than that in miR-16 low expression group, suggesting possible relation of miR-16 with prognosis. Moreover, the prognosis in BCL-2 positive expression group is better than that in negative expression group, which may be a factor influencing prognosis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the hippocampal subfield volumes before and after taking hydrochloric donepezil in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods:From January, 2017 to June, 2018, 25 mild AD patients accepted hydrochloric donepezil (treatment group), 25 patients accepted placebo (placebo group) and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy old people (control group) were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under 3D-T₁ TFE sequence before and after a six-month treatment, and the automated segmentation of the hippocampus subfields was fulfilled with FreeSurfer and the hippocampus subfield volumes were compared, while the patients were assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results:Compared with the control group, the volumes of left CA1， CA2-3 and CA4-DG, and right CA1 and CA2-3 were reduced in patients before treatment (t > 2.294, P < 0.05). The volume of left CA4-DG increased in the treatment group compared with that of the placebo group after treatment (t = 2.196, P < 0.05), and the volume of bilateral CA1 and CA2-3 tended to increase but not significantly (t < 1.888, P > 0.065). The MMSE score was more in the treatment group than in the placebo group after treatment (t = 2.764, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The association with asymmetric atrophy in the hippocampal subfields has been found in mild AD patients, especially in left CA4-DG, which may be used as a valuable marker for diagnosis and evaluation for treatment at early stage.

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in the patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Forty-five patients with AA were enrolled into this study, and were divided into mild aplastic anemia (MAA) group (n = 25) and severe aplastic anemia group (SAA) (n = 20), blood cell count was recorded. 15 healthy donors were enrolled as control. Proportions of blood Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α, as well as their concentrations in culture supernatant of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) -stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were measured by ELISA. The results showed that the proportions of blood Th17 cells and concentration of blood serum IL-17 and IFN-γ increased in patients with SAA, compared with MAA and normal controls, but CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells obviously decreased in patients with SAA. The concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γ significantly increased in culture supernatant of SAA group. Hemoglobin level in the patients with AA negatively correlated with the population of Th17 cells and serum IL-17 level, whereas positively correlated with the expression of CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cells. It is concluded that the increased response of Th17 cells and deficiency of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells present in severe aplastic anemia. The severity of anemia may be related with the imbalance between Th17 and CD4(+) CD25(+)Treg cell response.
Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism ; Th17 Cells ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

AIM: To explore the role and mechanism of silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) in attenuation of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by dexmedetomidine in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male C57BL mice were divided into 4 groups randomly (n=6): sham operation group (Sham group), intestinal ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), dexmedetomidine group (Dex group), SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP group (3-TYP group). Superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish intestinal I/R model in I/R group, Dex group, and 3-TYP group. Sham group received sole sham operation. 1 h prior to onset of ischemia, 3-TYP was injected into mice in 3-TYP group intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg, diluted to 0.3 mL), and 0.3 mL normal saline into mice in Dex group intraperitoneally. 30 min prior to onset of ischemia, dexmedetomidine was injected into mice in 3-TYP group and Dex group intraperitoneally (25 μg/kg, diluted to 0.3 mL). 1 h and 30 min prior to onset of ischemia, 0.3 mL normal saline was injected into mice in Sham group and I/R group intraperitoneally, respectively. 2 h of after reperfusion, the mice were sacrificed under anesthesia. Intestinal tissues were took and observed for pathological changes under light microscope after HE staining, and the injury was assessed via the Chiu's score method, and activities of SIRT3 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were detected via spectrophotometry, and malondialdehyde (MDA) via spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The pathological injury was exacerbated, and the Chiu's score, the MDA level elevated remarkably, while the activity level of SIRT3 and SOD2 declined remarkably in I/R group, Dex group and 3-TYP group compared to Sham group (P<0.05). The pathological injury was alleviated, and the Chiu's score declined remarkably in Dex group and 3-TYP group compared to I/R group (P<0.05); and the MDA level declined remarkably, while activity level of SIRT3 and SOD2 elevated remarkably in Dex group compared to I/R group (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference both in the activity level of SIRT3 and SOD2 and in the MDA level between 3-TYP group and I/R group. The pathological injury was exacerbated, and the Chiu's score, the MDA level elevated remarkably, while the activity level of SIRT3 and SOD2 declined remarkably in 3-TYP group compared to Dex group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SIRT3 and its downstream SOD2 are involved in mediating the effect of attenuation of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury through inhibiting oxidative stress response by dexmedetomidine.

Hereditary thyroxine protein amyloidosis (ATTRv) is one of the most common forms of systemic and ocular amyloidosis, characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, incomplete penetrance, and diverse manifestations. ATTRv deposition leads to visual impairment and even irreversible visual loss, which has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients. The diagnostic rate of pathological examination and genetic testing in ATTRv patients is low, and the detection rate of systemic amyloid lesions is low. We need to increase our awareness of this disease and gain a deeper understanding of its systemic manifestations and corresponding examination methods; genetic testing is conducted on the proband's family to investigate the relationship between different gene mutations and eye manifestations. In the future, multidisciplinary consultations can be conducted to jointly diagnose and treat patients with ATTRv eye involvement, conducting large-scale and long-term follow-up studies on the early clinical characteristics, treatment plans, efficacy, possible complications, and early prevention, in order to improve clinical diagnosis rate, reduce misdiagnosis rate, and improve patient prognosis.

Objective:To observe the clinical characteristics of patients with familial vitreous amyloidosis (FVA) and the efficacy of vitrectomy (PPV) and the occurrence of complications.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From June 2009 to March 2020, 32 eyes of 18 patients from 3 FVA families who were diagnosed and treated by PPV at Department of Ophthalmology of Jiaxing TCM Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 12 males with 22 eyes and 6 females with 10 eyes. The average age of onset was 42.28±3.25 years; the average duration of disease was 3.75±3.93 years. All the affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and B-mode ultrasound examination. A logarithmic visual acuity chart was used in the BCVA examination, which was converted to the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity when recorded. The average logMAR BCVA of the affected eye was 1.72±0.53; the intraocular pressure was less than 21 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). The vitreous body of the affected eye was obviously cloudy. All the affected eyes underwent standard three-channel PPV through the flat part of the ciliary body, and vitreous specimens were collected for pathological examination during the operation. Peripheral venous blood of probands from 3 families was collected, and the whole exome gene sequencing was performed. The follow-up time after surgery was ≥6 months. The patient's clinical characteristics, fundus lesions in PPV, changes in BCVA after surgery, and complications was observed. One-way analysis of variance or t test was performed for measurement data comparison; χ2 test was performed for count data comparison. Results:The vitreous body of the affected eye showed gray-white dense and thick flocculent changes, and the posterior capsule attached to the lens showed "foot disc-like" turbidity; later the lens was mainly cystic opacity. Pathological examination of the vitreous body showed positive staining of Congo red; under a polarized light microscope, it showed apple green dots and sheet-like birefringence. The genetic test results showed that there was a c.307G>C (p.Gly103Arg) missense mutation in the TTR gene of the proband in Family 2. Peripheral retinal hemorrhages in 4 eyes (12.5%, 4/32), retinal tears in 5 eyes (15.6%, 5/32), retinal degeneration in 4 eyes (12.5%, 4/32), retinal detachment were found in PPV 3 eyes (9.4%, 3/32). The vitreous body was filled with C 3F 8 and silicone oil respectively for 2, 1 eye. Six months after the operation, the logMAR BCVA of the affected eye was 0.39±0.32, which was significantly higher than that before the operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=15.131, P=0.000). After the operation, high intraocular pressure occurred in 2 eyes (6.3%, 2/32), secondary glaucoma in 1 eye (3.1%, 1/32), retinal detachment in 2 eyes (6.3%, 2/32), neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in 2 eyes (6.3%, 2/32), cataract in 10 eyes (31.3%, 10/32). Conclusion:The vitreous body of FVA eyes are gray-white dense, thick and flocculent, attached to the posterior lens capsule, showing "foot disc-like" turbidity; PPV treatment can effectively improve the BCVA of the FVA eyes; secondary glaucoma, secondary retinal detachment, NVG can occur after surgery.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonographic and clinical pathological features of intrathyroid thymic carcinoma( IT TC) . Methods T he ultrasonographic and clinical pathological features of 11 cases of pathologically confirmed intrathyroid thymic carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively . T he size , shape ,boundary ,internal echo ,calcification ,cystic change ,blood flow of the lesion and lymph nodes of the neck were recorded . T I‐RADS classification was performed on the lesion ,and the medical history ,clinical symptoms and treatment process of the patients were recorded . Results T he lesions of all 11 patients were solid and located in the lower pole or middle‐lower part of the thyroid ,8 cases were located in the right lobe of the thyroid gland ( 8/11 ,72 .7% ) ,and 3 cases were located in the left lobe ( 3/8 ,27 .3% ) . T he maximum diameter diameter of the lesions was ( 3 .55 ± 0 .51 ) cm . All the lesions were hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity and ill‐defined margin . T he internal echo of the lesions were heterogeneous . Ten lesions were characterized by striped hyperechogenicity interiorly on ultrasonograms . According to T I‐RADS classification ,2 cases were class 4a ,3 cases were class 4b ,2 cases were class 4c and 4 cases were class 5 . T here was no cystic component or calcifcation in all lesions ,and there was no taller‐than‐wide shape . T hree of 11 cases were accompanied by Hashimoto′s thyroiditis . Postoperative pathology showed that 5 cases had cervical lymph node metastasis ,5 had perithyroidal soft tissue in ltration ,of them , 3 cases had recurrent laryngeal nerve ,2 cases invaded the esophageal wall ,and 3 cases invaded the striated muscle of the neck . Immunohistochemistry showed that CD5 and CD117 of all lesions were positive . All patients underwent surgery ,and 3 of them underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery . Conclusions There are common sonographic features of intrathyroid thymic carcinoma ,which are located at the lower pole or middle‐lower of the thyroid gland ,presenting a solid hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity ,with ill‐defined margin and striped hyperechogenicity interiorly on ultrasonograms . T hese sonographic features are helpful for the diagnosis of IT TC .

microRNA (miRNA) is a class of 19-25 nucleotide highly conserved single-stranded non-coding RNA that is widely found in plants and animals. Their biological effect is to negatively regulate target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through complementary pairing with mRNA. Intestinal I/R injury is more common in clinical practice, and ischemia-reperfusion will cause intestinal mucosal barrier damage, and it is related to the occurrence, development, and outcome of many clinical diseases. Many studies have shown that the miRNA subtype genes miR-34a-5p, miR-351-5p, miR-682, miR-21, etc. affect the intestinal I/R injury process to some extent by regulating a series of signal transduction. Therefore, revealing the role of miRNA in intestinal I/R injury and providing a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of I/R.

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic features of synchronous and heterochronic liver metastasis in patients with stromal tumors, and to elucidate the value of ultrasonic examination in follow-up surgery. Methods: A total of 1 516 patients with pathologically confirmed gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs) were enrolled. The ultrasonographic features of primary lesions and liver metastases in a total of 46 cases with 95 liver metastases were analyzed. Results: 24 out of 46 cases had primary lesion in the small intestine, 14 in the stomach, 4 in the abdominal cavity, 1 in the colon, 2 in the esophagus, and 1 in the mesentery. The expression of CD117, Dog-1 and CD34were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The positive rate of CD117 was 100%, the Dog-1 was 95.7% and the CD34 was 69.6%. There were statistically significant differences in the maximum diameter, boundary and blood flow of primary tumors in 28 patients with synchronous liver metastasis and 18 patients with heterochronic liver metastasis (P=0.001, 0.022 and 0.036, respectively). Of the 95 liver metastases, 86 (90.5%) were located in the right lobe of the liver, 79 (83.2%) had clear boundaries, 75 (78.9%) were hypoechoic or isoechoic, 55 (57.9%) showed colored patterns, and 68 (71.6%) had no halo.11 liver metastases were cystic masses, 59 were solid masses, and 25 were mixed masses. There was a statistically significant difference in blood flow between 65 synchronous hepatic metastases and 30 heterochronic liver metastases (P=0.017). Conclusions There were differences of the primary tumor ultrasonographic features between the synchronous metastasis group and heterochronic metastasis group. The ultrasonographic features of primary tumors and liver metastases have important clinical significance for the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of malignant mesenchymal tumors.