Objective To analyze the clinical feature of thalassemia with pulmonary hypertension and investigate the influence of pulmonary hypertension on thalassemia.Methods From June 2007 to July 2011,clinical data of 19 patients with thalassemia complicated with pulmonary hypertension in TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and Affilated Hospital of Guilin Medical College were analyzed retrospectively.Twenty-two cases of thalassemia without pulmonary hypertension were as a control group,and follow-up time was set as 4 months to 24 months.Observed indicators included age,hemoglobin(Hb),lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),serum ferritin (SF),tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Results SF and TRV of the case group[(693.6 ± 234.6)μg/L and (2.6 ± 0.1)m/s] were significantly higher than those of the control [(209.5 ± 100.1) μg/L and (2.1 ± 0.3)m/s,all P ＜ 0.05]; but the differences between case and control group in Hb[(90.8 ± 10.7)g/L vs (89.3 ± 10.5)g/L],LDH[(320.9 ± 103.7)U/L vs (355.8 ± 140.3)U/L] and LVEF[(66.2 ± 7.1)％ vs (64.2 ± 4.7)％] were not statistically significant (all P ＞ 0.05).Logrank analysis showed that the prognosis was poor in patients with thalassemia complicated with pulmonary hypertension (x2 =4.95,P ＜ 0.05).Multiple regression analysis indicated that age and serum ferritin remained as predisposing risk factors for tricuspid regurgitation velocity,and serum ferritin had a greater impact on the velocity.Conclusion In patients with thalassemia complicated with pulmonary hypertension,the prognosis is poor; age and SF may be factors involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND:Effects of different oxygen partial pressures on cytokine secretion of human adipose-derived stem cells have been differently reported. These differences may be caused by varying oxygen partial pressures.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of different oxygen partial pressures on cytokines secreted from human adipose-derived stem cells.
METHODS:Human adipose-derived stem cells were cultured in vitro and identified by its immunophenotype. Human adipose-derived stem cells were divided into five groups and cultured under different oxygen partial pressure conditions (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 21%) for 24 hours, respectively. With quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the secretion of cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, nerve growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, from human adipose-derived stem cells were analyzed on the gene and protein levels.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Human adipose-derived stem cells were positive for CD71, CD73, CD90, CD105 and negative for CD34, CD45, CD54, HLA-DR. From the aspect of gene level, hypoxia (1%, 3%O 2 ) promoted the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor from human adipose-derived stem cells (P<0.01), and significantly elevated the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (P<0.05);however, there was no significant influence on keratinocyte growth factor under hypoxia (P>0.05). Based on the protein level, protein secretion of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor from human adipose-derived stem cells was increased under hypoxia (P<0.01), but no changes occurred in nerve growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor. After cultured under hypoxic environment, human adipose-derived stem cells were promoted to express gene vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and nerve growth factor, as wel as to secrete protein keratinocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Objective To investigate the effect and long-term prognosis of patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 98 patients with hepatolithiasis who were treated by hepatectomy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Results Male/femah:1/1.7;median age:55 years old.58 cases(59.2%)had been treated before;among them.50 by surgery.In 88 cages(89.8%)hepatolithiasis involved the left lobe only,in 2(2.0%) only the right lobe involved.and in 8(8.2%)both left and right lobe were involved.51(52.0%)had extrahepatic biliary stones,30(30.6%)had biliary duct strictures,28(28.6%)had a history of biliary ascariasis.and 5(5.1%)had a concurrent biliary tract malignancy.All received partial hepatectomy according to the stone location;for the 8 bilaterally involved patients,left hepatectomy and right lithotomy were performed.Postoperative complications occurredin 14 cases(14.3%),and there were2perioperative deaths(2.0%).Seventy-eight patients(79.6%)have beenfollowedupfor over1 yearwith no tumors;the results were excellent or good in 91.0%;the stone residue and recurrence rate were both 2.0%.Conclusions Hepatectomy not only eliminates calcuci,but also removes diseased biliary tracts,with advantages of low residue stone and recurrence rate.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a serious global health threat.This raises an urgent need for the devel-opment of effective drugs against the deadly disease.SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 14 (NSP14)carrying RNA cap guanine N7-methyltransferase and 3'-5'exoribonuclease activities could be a potential drug target for intervention.NSP14 of SARS-CoV-2 shares 98.7％ of similarity with the one (PDB 5NFY) of acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by ClustalW.Then,the SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 structures were modelled by Modeller 9.18 using SARS NSP14 (PDB 5NFY) as template for virtual screening.Based on the docking score from AutoDock Vina1.1.2,18 small molecule drugs were selected for further evaluation.Based on the 5 ns MD simulation trajectory,binding free energy (AG) was calculated by MM/GBSA method.The calculated binding free energies of Saquinavir,Hypericin,Baicalein and Bromocriptine for the N-terminus of the homology model were-37.2711 ± 3.2160,-30.1746 ± 3.1914,-23.8953 ± 4.4800,and-34.1350 ± 4.3683 kcal/mol,respectively,while the calculated binding free energies were-60.2757 ± 4.7708,-30.9955 ± 2.9975,-46.3099 ± 3.5689,and-59.8104 ± 3.5389 kcal/mol,respectively,when binding to the C-terminus.Thus,the compounds including Saquinavir,Hypericin,Baicalein and Bromocriptine could bind to the N-terminus and C-terminus of the homology model of the SARS-CoV-2 NSP14,providing a candidate drug against SARS-CoV-2 for further study.

Objective:To evaluate the pathologic findings from biopsy samples to predict the status of nodal metastasis for patients with usual cervical adenocarcinoma.Methods:The 32-pair samples of cervical adenocarcinoma specimens (32 cervical biopsies and 32 hysterectomies with staging) from 2013 to 2019 were selected for retrospective study in Shanghai first Maternal and infant Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University. The correlation between histopathologic features including necrotic tumor debris (NTD), nuclear grade, mitotic count and pattern-based classification system and the status of lymph node metastasis was evaluated.Results:Tumor invasive patterns of cervical adenocarcinoma, as described previously, could be discerned in hysterectomy/staging specimens, but not in cervical biopsies. Because the biopsy tissues were small, only 14(14/32, 43.8%) cases could be classified according to pattern of invasion, and the concordance rate with resected specimens was 37.5%. NTD (9/19) and grade 3 nuclei (11/19) were positively correlated with invasive pattern C and nodal metastases ( P<0.05). Moreover, when NTD and (or) nuclear grade were evaluated at the same time, the sensitivity for type C infiltration was higher. Conclusions:Evaluation of NTD and nuclear grade in biopsies for cervical adenocarcinoma provides good predictive value for lymph node metastasis. It is helpful for patient stratification and management andto avoid unnecessary staging procedures. However, multicenter studies and prospective clinical trials are necessary to confirm the findings before clinical application can be considered.

Objective To explore the effect of angiogenesis in carotid atherosclerotic plaque.Methods From Jan 2016 to Aug 2016,Carotid artery plaque was abtained in 52 cases after carotid endarterectomy at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of China-Japan Friendship Hospital.Patients were divided into symptomatic group and asymptomatic group.Specimens were stained with HE and Movat,and the density,size,distribution and morphology of neovascularization were counted.Results The density of neovascularization in the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic group were 5.27 ± 0.46 and 2.30 ±0.29,respectively (P ＜ 0.001),the average cross-sectional area of neovascularization in the symptomatic group was (2.26±0.21) mm2 and (1.00 ±0.48) mm2 in the asymptomatic group (P=0.02).In the distribution,the symptomatic group and the asymptomatic group were 3.37 ± 0.46/ mm2,1.32 ±0.16/mm2 in basal part,3.71 ±0.42/mm2,1.56 ±0.20/mm2 in the shoulder part,3.48 ±0.44/mm2,1.55 ± 0.21/ mm2 in the fibrous cap,respectively (P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The density and cross-sectional area of neovascularization in the symptomatic group were larger than those in the asymptomatic group,irregular branching vessels were dominant.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and change law of influenza in Fuling District of Chongqing in 2010-2019, and to provide a scientific basis for the pre-control of influenza.Methods:We performed an epidemiological analysis on the data of influenza-like illness reported by Fuling District influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Chongqing in 2010-2019.Results:In 2010-2019, a total of 42 169 cases of influenza-like illness were reported in Fuling District, with an average treatment rate of 1.22%. The activity of influenza-like illness peaked in winter, spring, and summer. There were 22 788 cases in the group of cases aged < 5 years, accounting for 50.4%. In 2010-2019, a total of 8049 pharyngeal swabs were collected to screen for influenza-like illness, with a positive rate of 14.52%. Influenza virus A H3 positive rate was highest, accounting for 37.98%, followed by influenza virus B BV positive rate, accounting for 30.80%. The highest influenza virus-positive rate was reported in January (26.34%), followed by November (24.85%).Conclusion:Influenza in the Fuling district of Chongqing mainly occurs in winter, spring, and summer. Influenza virus A H3 is the dominant strain. Children and school students are prone to develop influenza-like illnesses. We should continue to strengthen the monitoring of influenza strains, greatly promote vaccination, and strengthen the monitoring and prevention of influenza-like illness among susceptible populations.

Objective To analyze the quality of 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules from 11 different manufacturers by using Ginseng water Extract reference substance(GWERS)as references.Methods Thin layer chromatography(TLC)identification and feature map detection were carried out according to the identification items and characteristic maps of Ginseng Formula Granules standard(YBZ-PFKL-2021186)issued by the National Medical Products Administration.Results The results of TLC analysis showed that the 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules-labeled samples could be divided into three categories.The overall pattern of the first type of samples was consistent with that of GWERS,and the similarity was high.Pseudoginsenoside F11,a unique component of American ginseng,was detected in the second type of samples.Four blue fluorescent spots were observed in the third type of samples compared to GWERS.HPLC results indicated that all 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules showed eight characteristic peaks at the same retention time as that of GWERS chromatogram.Two more chromatographic peaks were found in the chromatogram of three batches of samples from one manufacturer compared to the chromatogram of other samples,whose similarity to the GWERS chromatogram was less than 0.65.The similarity between the chromatogram of the remaining 16 sample and GWERS chromatogram was higher than 0.94.Conclusion At present,the quality of Ginseng Formula Granules on the market varies greatly.It was suspected that American ginseng might appear among them.The application of GWERS for quality analysis of Ginseng Formula Granules has better applicability to the control medicinal materials.

OBJECTIVETo observe the histological features of tumor-bearing tissues formed by human fibroblasts after reprograming by spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal key regulating gene Piwil2 (Piwil2-iCSC).

METHODSPiwil2-iCSC tumor spheroids-like colonies were selected for tumor formation assay in four nude mice. Pathological features of Piwil2-iCSC tumors were observed by histology. Stem cell markers and common triploblastic markers were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and immunohistochemistry. Germ cell tumor markers were detected by immunohistochemical examination.

RESULTSTwo weeks after inoculation, subcutaneous tumors were formed in all the four nude mice with a tumor formation rate of 100%. In the Piwil2-iCSC tumor tissues, Piwil2-GFP(+) cells showed high-density nuclear expression and were widely observed in DAPI-stained sections. Numerous mitotic figure of the neoplastic cells were seen (>10 cells/field of vision under high magnification) in HE-stained sections. Enlarged abnormal cell nuclei were observed. RT-PCR assay showed that Piwil2-iCSC tumors still expressed Piwil2 and some self-renewal and pluripotent markers of stem cells and some markers of triploblastic differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumors expressed stem cell markers, triploblastic markers and germ cell tumor markers AFP and HCG.

CONCLUSIONSPiwil2-iCSC tumors are probably undifferentiated embryonic small cell carcinoma, most likely to be immature teratoma, mixed with yolk sac tumor and choriocarcinoma components. It can be used as a useful model for the research of origin or genesis mechanism of cancer stem cells and the treatment of relevant tumors.

Adult Stem Cells ; Animals ; Argonaute Proteins ; genetics ; Cellular Reprogramming Techniques ; Choriocarcinoma ; pathology ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; chemistry ; pathology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spheroids, Cellular ; Teratoma ; pathology ; Time Factors

Purpose: The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) has been reported to have prognostic ability in various solid tumors but has not been studied in gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to determine its prognostic value in GBC. Materials and Methods: From 2003 to 2017, patients with confirmed GBC were recruited. To determine the SIRI’s optimal cutoff value, a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve was applied. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed for the recognition of significant factors. Then the cohort was randomly divided into the training and the validation set. A nomogram was constructed using the SIRI and other selected indicators in the training set, and compared with the TNM staging system. C-index, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis were performed to assess the nomogram’s clinical utility. Results: One hundred twenty-four patients were included. The SIRI’s optimal cutoff value divided patients into high (≥ 0.89) and low SIRI (< 0.89) groups. Kaplan-Meier curves according to SIRI levels were significantly different (p < 0.001). The high SIRI group tended to stay longer in hospital and lost more blood during surgery. SIRI, body mass index, weight loss, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, radical surgery, and TNM stage were combined to generate a nomogram (C-index, 0.821 in the training cohort, 0.828 in the validation cohort) that was significantly superior to the TNM staging system both in the training (C-index, 0.655) and validation cohort (C-index, 0.649). Conclusion The SIRI is an independent predictor of prognosis in GBC. A nomogram based on the SIRI may help physicians to precisely stratify patients and implement individualized treatment.