BACKGROUND: There are different methods to isolate and culture human nucleus pulposus cells, and the differences in digestive enzymes components and digestion time quite are significant. So how to rapidly and efficiently harvest human nucleus pulposus cells has become a research hotspot. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the digestive enzymes components and digestion methods for the preparation of human nucleus pulposus cells. METHODS: Nucleus pulposus tissue specimens were selected from three adult discs in the Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University. The acute traumatic disc tissues that outstanding to the spinal canal were taken under aseptic conditions, and then the peripheral white annulus and jel y-like nucleus pulposus in the center could be seen. According to different mixed enzyme concentration ratio, the samples were divided into two groups. The enzyme Ⅰ group was treated with 0.2% Ⅱ col agenase; and the mixed enzymeⅡ group was digested with 0.25% trypsin for 30 minutes, and then treated with 0.2% Ⅱ col agenase. According to digestion time, each group was divided into three subgroups: 2 hours group, 4 hours group, and overnight group. Final y, suspended cel volume was decided as 2 mL to count cells. Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium containing fetal bovine serum was used for cel culture in vitro. Trypan blue staining was performed to count total cel number and ratio of living cells. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to detect the growth curve of nucleus pulposus cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Based on the two digestion enzyme concentration, the number of digested cells in the enzyme Ⅰ group was larger than that in the enzyme Ⅱ group after digested for 2 and 4 hours, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Overnight, cellsurvival rate was decreased in the enzyme Ⅰ group after digested for 2 and 4 hours when compared with the enzyme Ⅱ group, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). After digested for 4 hours, tissue blocks disappeared, and the number of cells reached maximum. The results indicate that enzyme Ⅰgroup composite with Ⅱ col agenase is benefit for the separation of nucleus pulposus cells, and the digestion time is appropriate to 4 hours. This condition has the advantages of simple operation, high efficiency and low cost, and it considered that digestion of nucleus pulposus tissues with 0.2% Ⅱ col agenase for 4 hours is the best condition to obtain nucleus pulposus cells.

ObjectiveInvestigate the value and feasibility of image registration with reverse rotation in lateral cerebral DSA.Methods ( 1 ) Experimental study:the target images were subtracted directly,and subtracted again after reverse rotation.Software of registration and subtraction with reverse rotation edited by the author utilizing Visual Basic.The function of the automatic angle detection by the software were evaluated to see whether it detected the angle of line.The subtraction function of DSA by the software was evaluated.(2) Clinical retrospective study:the untreated mask and target inages of 15 patients with motion along vertical axis during lateral cerebral DSA were uploaded to the software.The target images were processed with and without the software to get two sets of images.( 3 ) Evaluation:four experienced radiologists read and compared the two sets of the images,and graded their findings.Results ( 1 ) The automatic detection by the software suggested that the target images should be rotated counterclockwise 1.3°. The subtraction result of the software was satisfactory.(2)In the 15 sets of images,there were only three sets of images deemed optimal after traditional subtraction.After reverse rotation,artifacts were significantly reduced and the image sharper. There were ten cases with significant artifacts after traditional subtraction,and those images were sharper and showed more peripheral vessels after reverse rotation. The traditional subtraction images of two sets could not be interpreted,the reverse rotation registration images reached the diagnostic quality.(3)Subjective evaluation: there were more information and less noise and distortion in the registration images with reverse rotation than in the traditional subtraction. But the image resolution decreased slightly after reverse rotation registration.ConclusionThe registration of digital angiography with reverse rotation can improve the image quality in lateral cerebral DSA.

Objective:To investigate the number of necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells in renal tissues of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the correlation with clinicopathologic parameters, and explore its role in the progression of the excessive loss of renal tubular cells and chronic kidney injury.Methods:Renal tissue samples from 60 patients (18-65 years old) with CKD proven by kidney biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from June 2017 to June 2019 were collected. According to internationally accepted K/DOQI guidelines, the patients were divided into 1-4 stages of CKD, with 15 cases in each stage. The number of necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells in patients with different stages of CKD was detected using receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescent staining, and the expression of RIP3 and MLKL, marker protein of necroptosis, was detected by immunohistochemistry. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the percentage of necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells and clinicopathologic parameters. In addition, the expression of angiotensinogen Ⅱ receptor (AT2R) in renal tissue and its correlation with the percentage of necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells were analyzed.Results:With the development of CKD, the structural destruction of renal tubules in patients with CKD was gradually aggravated, and the renal tubules in the corresponding areas were atrophied, accompanied by worsening interstitial fibrosis. The adjacent renal tubules were focally dilated and numerous protein tubules were seen in the tubules. Importantly, renal tubular injury score in second and third stage of CKD was significantly higher than that in control group (both P<0.01). TUNEL+RIP3 immunofluorescence staining results showed that the percentage of TUNEL/RIP3 double positive renal tubular epithelial cells (necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells) in renal tubules of the second and third stage of CKD was higher (all P<0.01). Immunohistochemical results showed that RIP3, MLKL and AT2R proteins were mainly expressed in cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells, and the expression of RIP3, MLKL and AT2R in renal tubular epithelial cells was higher in the second and third stage of CKD patients (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the percentage of necroptotic renal tubular epithelial cells was positively correlated with blood urea nitrogen ( r=0.514, P=0.003), serum creatinine ( r=0.507, P=0.019), serum cystatin C ( r=0.571, P=0.026), serum uric acid ( r=0.592, P=0.008), renal tubules injury score ( r=0.901, P<0.001), renal interstitial fibrosis index ( r=0.700, P=0.001) and the expression of AT2R protein in renal tissue ( r=0.715, P=0.001). Conclusions:As CKD progresses, necroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in CKD patients occurs. The necroptotic cell death may be an important factor leading to renal tubular epithelial cell excessive death and the progression of chronic kidney injury. Furthermore, necroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells may be related to the high expression of AT2R in kidney tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a supplementary diagnostic indicator (infrared radiant intensity) in tongue diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands through correlation analysis of infrared radiant intensity between hyperplastic breast tissue and tongue surface. METHODS: Infrared radiant intensity of the hyperplastic breast tissue and different points on tongue surface in 20 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands with liver-energy stagnation and phlegm retention syndrome and 16 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands with irregular thoroughfare and conception vessels syndrome were measured with external infrared spectrometer PHE-201 made by Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics. Correlation of infrared radiant intensity between the hyperplastic breast tissue and the different points on tongue surface was assessed by using bivariate correlation analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the numbers of positive correlated wave bands of infrared radiant intensity between the hyperplastic breast tissue and different detected points on tongue surface in the patients with liver-energy stagnation and phlegm retention syndrome and irregular thoroughfare and conception vessels syndrome were 127 (83.55%) and 71 (46.71%), respectively. Infrared radiant intensity between the hyperplastic breast tissue and the tongue surface had a positive correlation. CONCLUSION: Infrared radiant intensity can be used as one of supplementary diagnostic indicators in TCM tongue diagnosis of hyperplasia of mammary glands.

Objective: To investigate whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant protein PA3611 can induce the in vitro epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of rat bronchial epithelial cells. Methods: A series of processes including DNA synthesis, gene amplification, vector construction, induction of expression and protein purification was used to synthesize the recombinant protein PA3611. CCK-8 kit was used to detect the proliferation of bronchial epithelial cells after stimulation with the protein PA3611. Morphological changes in bronchial epithelial cells were observed. Western blot and qPCR were performed to measure the expression of E-cadherin (E-CAD) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). T test was used for statistical analysis. Results: DNA sequencing verified the successful preparation of the recombinant protein PA3611. PA3611 inhibited the proliferation (P<0.05) and induced the EMT of bronchial epithelial cells. Moreover, it also inhibited the expression of E-CAD protein, but promoted the expression of α-SMA (P<0.05). Conclusion The recombinant protein PA3611 can induce the EMT of bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms are worthy of further investigation.

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristics of mortality of accidental injury children aged 5-19 years in Yunnan Province during 2015-2019, to provide further evidence for reducing accidental mortality in children. Methods: The mortality cases of accidental injury by gender, age groups, and causes among children and adolescents in Yunnan Province during 2015 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Poisson regression model was used to estimate the trend of mortality. Chi square test was used to compare the differences of mortality by gender and age groups. Results: During 2015 to 2019, the mortality rate of accidental injury in children and adolescents aged 5-19 years in Yunnan Province decreased from 19.15/10 5 in 2015 to 18.35/10 5 in 2019 (Z=-3.36, P <0.01). The mortality rate of all types of accidental injuries in male was higher than that in female ( χ 2=867.01, 11.69 , 147.60, 190.34, 7.23, 702.97, P <0.05). The top three causes of fatal accidental injuries included road traffic accidents, drowning and falls. Except for accidental falls, the mortality rate of other causes in the 15-19 age group was significantly higher than that in the age of 5-9 years and 10-14 years groups ( χ 2=764.47, 75.91, 31.75, 9.24, 114.96, 327.64, P <0.05). The top three traffic accidents were happened among motorcyclists, light trucks or caravans and cars, accounting for 27.83%, 10.57% and 7.90% respectively. Conclusion Targeted measures should be taken continuously according to the characteristics of children and adolescents in different regions, age groups and gender to reduce the incidence and mortality of accidental injuries among children.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi, and analyze the influencing factors.Methods:A total of 102 patients with lower calyceal calculi were treated in the Second People′s Hospital of Yulin from February 2019 to December 2022, and they were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 51 cases in each group. The patients of the observation group were treated with Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope, while the patients of the control group were treated with flexible ureteroscope. According to whether the stones were completely removed after operation, all patients were divided into non-stone removal group ( n=13) and stone removal group ( n=89). The operation time, hospitalization time, lithotripsy time, intraoperative blood loss, complication rate and stone clearance rate were compared between the observation group and the control group. Generalized Estimation Equation was used to analyze and evaluate the effects of treatment time, treatment scheme and their interaction on visual analogue scale (VAS), white blood cell (WBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), hemoglobin (HGB) and procalcitonin (PCT). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of stone removal rate. Nomogram model was constructed based on risk factors and evaluate the model. Results:Compared with the control group, operation time [(118.72±9.61) min vs (136.65±11.27) min], hospitalization stay [(6.43±1.12) d vs (10.29±2.23) d] and the lithotripsy time [ (51.23±10.38) min vs (56.62±11.43) min] of the observation group were shorter, and the amount of intraoperative blood loss [(128.52±10.20) mL vs (157.53±15.31) mL] were significantly less than those of the control group ( P< 0.05). The results of Generalized Estimation Equation analysis showed that treatment time, treatment regimen and their interaction had significant effects on WBC, HGB, BUN, Cr, PCT and VAS ( P< 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of complications (5.88% vs 19.61%) of the observation group was lower and the stone clearance rate ( 94.12% vs 80.39%) was significantly higher than those in the control group ( P< 0.05). The mode of operation, infundibulopelvic angle(IPA), caliceal pelvic height (CPH) and the maximum diameter of stones were all influencing factors of stone removal rate in patients with 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability, and can better identify high-risk patients with incomplete removal of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. Conclusions:Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope is a safe, effective method for the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. It has the advantages of simple operation, less intraoperative bleeding, less postoperative complications and high stone clearance rate. IPA, CPH, the maximum diameter of calculi and the mode of operation were all independent factors affecting the stone clearance rate of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study can well identify the high-risk patients with incomplete clearance of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the positive surgical margin and clinical factors such as neoadjuvant hormonal therapy after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) in high-risk patients with prostate cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 164 patients with high-risk prostate cancer being performed RARP by one surgeon were analyzed retrospectively in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2022. The mean patient’s age was (65.3±6.2) years old, mean body mass index (BMI) was (25.6±3.0) kg/m 2, the median value of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) before operation was 18.6(11.3, 31.3)ng/ml, the median value of Gleason score before operation was 7 (7, 8), the median value of prostate volume was 29.3 (22.4, 40.2) ml, and the clinical stage was T 2aN 0M 0-T 4N 0M 0. 80 patients with prostate cancer were treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. All of them were treated with complete androgen blockade with a median course of 3 months. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between age, BMI, prostate volume, neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, preoperative tPSA, clinical stage, Gleason score before operation and positive surgical margin. Then multivariate logistic regression was used to further analyze the independent risk factor of positive surgical margin after RARP. Results:The postoperative pathological diagnosis included pT 2 stage in 111 cases (67.7%), pT 3a stage in 15 cases (9.1%), pT 3b stage in 25 cases (15.2%), pT 4 stage in 13 cases (7.9%). No lymph node metastasis was noticed in all patients. The Gleason scores included 6 in 11 cases (6.7%), 3+ 4 in 26 cases (15.9%), 4+ 3 in 36 cases (22.0%), 8 in 17 cases (10.4%), 9-10 in 24 cases (14.6%), un-evaluation due to endocrine therapy in 50 (30.5%). The positive surgical margin of high-risk patients with prostate cancer was 44.5% (73/164). Univariate analysis showed that the neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, tPSA and clinical stage were correlated with positive surgical margin ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, preoperative tPSA>20ng/ml and clinical stage>T 2b were independent risk factors for positive surgical margin of high-risk patients with prostate cancer. Stratified analysis showed that when the preoperative tPSA was 10-20 ng/ml(21.1% vs.55.9%, P=0.014), the clinical stage was T 2c(29.6% vs.49.1%, P=0.040), the Gleason score before operation was 7(19.4% vs.54.1%, P=0.003), the positive surgical margin of high-risk patients in the neoadjuvant hormonal therapy group was significantly lower than that in the non-neoadjuvant hormonal therapy group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Non-neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, preoperative tPSA>20 ng/ml and clinical stage>T 2b were independent risk factors for positive surgical margin of RARP in the high-risk patients with prostate cancer. For high-risk patients with preoperative tPSA of 10-20 ng/ml, clinical stage of T 2c and Gleason score before operation of 7, neoadjuvant hormonal therapy has important clinical significance in reducing the positive surgical margin of RARP.

【Objective】 To explore the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in the genotyping of difficult blood typing samples, and to provide evidence for clinical blood transfusion. 【Methods】 Three ambiguous blood group samples, submitted to Shanghai Blood Center by Shanghai regional hospitals, were studied, of which Sample1 included the proband and his parents. Serological methods were used to perform blood group typing, direct antibody test, unexpected antibody screening and identification test. Blood group genotyping was performed by using the MALDI-TOF MS detection systeme stablished in our laboratory. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm gene mutation sites, and serological or flow methods were used to verify specific samples′ phenotype. 【Results】 Serological results indicated the existence of antibodies against high frequency antigens in sample 1 (including proband and her mother), 2 and 3. The genotyping results of MALDI-TOF MS showed that the proband of sample 1 was Di(a+ b+ ), her father was Di(a-b+ ), her mother was Di(a+ b-), sample 2 was p, and sample 3 was Jr(a-). Sequencing results of three samples were consistent with mass spectrometry typing results. Serological results showed that sample 2 had a p phenotype. The flow cytometry results suggested that sample 3 had a Jr(a-) phenotype. 【Conclusion】 For the first time, we applied MALDI-TOF MS technology to blood type genotyping of ambiguous clinical samples in China. Compared with other genotyping methods such as PCR-SSP, MALDI-TOF MS has the advantages of rapid detection, high throughput and high specificity, which would contribute to identification of difficult blood typing samples in the future, as well as rare blood group screening.

Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.