Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of differentiated early cardia cancer and to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).Methods:A total of 329 patients (331 lesions) who underwent ESD at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from October 2014 to December 2019 and were pathologically confirmed as differentiated early cardia cancer were included in the study and followed up. The endoscopic and pathological data of patients were reviewed to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of differentiated early cardia cancer. The short-term (including en bloc resection rate, curative resection rate and incidence of short-term complications) and long-term efficacy (including incidence of metachronous cancer, recurrence and distant metastasis, and overall survival rate) of ESD was evaluated.Results:The ratio of male to female in 329 patients with differentiated early cardia cancer was 4∶1, and their age was 65.69±8.02 years. Tumor diameter of ≤2.0 cm accounted for 65.9% (218/331). Most lesions were located on the posterior wall (50.5%, 167/331), followed by the minor curve (36.3%, 120/331). The endoscopic morphology of 0-Ⅱc type accounted for 49.5% (164/331). There were 69.8% (231/331) lesions confined to the mucosal layer. The en bloc resection rate was 100.0% (329/329), and the curative resection rate was 83.3% (274/329). Short-term complications occurred in 28 patients (8.5%). With a median follow-up time of 39 months, 11 patients (3.3%) developed metachronous cancer, 2 (0.6%) developed distant metastasis, and no recurrence occurred. Seven patients died, and the overall survival rate during the follow-up period was 97.9% (322/329). The survival rate of patients with curative resection and additional surgery was 100.0% (3/3), while that without additional surgery was 99.3% (269/271). The survival rate of patients with non-curative resection and additional surgery was 96.0% (24/25), and that without additional surgery was 86.7% (26/30).Conclusion:Most differentiated early cardia cancers are well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, with less than 2 cm in diameter at the time of diagnosis with a low rate of ulcer and vascular invasion. ESD is safe and effective for the treatment of differentiated early cardia cancer with a high rate of curative resection, fewer intraoperative and postoperative complications, low incidences of metachronous cancer, distant metastasis and recurrence, and a high overall survival rate. However, additional surgical treatment is recommended for patients with non-curative resection.

Objective:To explore the disturbance of metal element balance in mice after exposure to radon.Methods:Mice were randomly divided into control group, radon exposure of 30 WLM group, 60 WLM group and 120 WLM groups, with 10 mice in each group. After radon exposure with the cumulative dose, the lung function of mice was detected by a non-invasive pulmonary function testing instrument. Mice blood was taken from eyeballs. The lungs, heart, liver, kidney and spleen were also collected. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect the content of metal elements, including essential trace elements in the body: chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and potentially toxic elements: arsenic (As), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and silver (Ag).Results:Compared with the control group, lung ventilation function of the radon-exposed mice was decreased, alveolar structure was destroyed, and the contents of pulmonary metal elements Cr, Al, Pb, Sn( F=0.34, 0.66, 3.14, 1.16, P<0.05) and essential trace elements Mn, Cr, Zn, and Mo in the blood were decreased( F=0.65, 1.44, 0.97, 2.08, P<0.05), while the elements of Cu, Mo, Se and As in the lungs were increased( F=1.31, 1.26, 0.81, 2.04, P<0.05), and the element contents in other tissues also fluctuated. Conclusions:Inhalation of a certain cumulative dose of radon can reduce the lung ventilation function of mice and induce lung inflammation, as well reduce the content of essential trace elements in the lung and blood so that the content of metal elements in the body fluctuates.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy and laparotomy for 5-10 cm intermediate-risk gastric stromal tumor, and to evaluate whether there was evident benefits of postoperative adjuvant treatment with imatinib.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 72 patients with moderate risk gastric stromal tumors (5-10 cm in diameter) who received operation in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2010 to July 2020. There were 28 cases in the laparoscopy group and 44 cases in the laparotomy group. The clinical features, pathological data, perioperative results and hospitalization costs were compared between the two groups. The survival rates of postoperative adjuvant therapy with or without imatinib were analyzed and compared.Results:There was no significant difference in clinicopathological features between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidences of postoperative complications in the laparoscopy group and the laparotomy group were 32.1% (9/28) and 52.3% (23/44) respectively, showing no significant difference ( P=0.094). Compared with the laparotomy group, both the hospital stay (12.5±3.2 days VS 15.0±3.5 days, P=0.004) and the median postoperative hospital stay (7.5 days VS 9.0 days, P=0.006) in the laparoscopy group were significantly shorter, and the first exhaust time was significantly shorter ( P=0.003). During the median follow-up period of 58 months (13-129 months), there was no tumor-related death. Two cases died of breast cancer and heart disease in the laparotomy group, and 1 case died irrelevant to gastric stromal tumor in the laparoscopy group. Of the 72 patients, 40 received postoperative imatinib adjuvant therapy, 22 cases (50.0%) in the laparotomy group and 18 cases (64.3%) in the laparoscopy group, with no significant difference in the proportion ( χ2=1.414, P=0.234). There was significant difference in the overall survival rate between the group treated with imatinib and the group without imatinib ( P=0.015). Conclusion:Laparoscopic resection is safe and effective for intermediate-risk gastric stromal tumor of 5-10 cm. Taking imatinib adjuvant treatment does not increase overall survival rate of patients with intermediate-risk gastric stromal tumors (5-10 cm), and there is no tumor-related death, recurrence or metastasis for those who did not accept imatinib adjuvant treatment after R0 resection.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and summarize the evidence for the prevention of pressure injury in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and mechanical ventilation in prone position, to provide a basis for clinical nurses in the management of pressure injury in patients with mechanical ventilation in the prone position of ARDS.Method:UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, Guidelines International Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence-based Health Care Centre, Cochrane Library, Medlive, EMBASE, PubMed, BMJ, CNKI, Wanfang Database and SinoMed were systematically retrieved to search evidence on the prevention of pressure injury in adults with ARDS and mechanical ventilation in prone position, including clinical decision-making, guidelines, evidence summary, systematic evaluation, Meta-analysis, RCT and quasi-experimental studies. The search time limit was from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2020. The literature quality was evaluated by 4 personnel, and the included literature was extracted and summarized by 2 personnel.Result:Finally, 7 articles were included, including 1 clinical decision, 3 guidelines, 2 RCTs and 1 quasi-experimental study. A total of 12 pieces of evidence were extracted from 5 aspects, such as evaluation, intervention measures, supervision, professional knowledge training of nursing staff and principles of prevention and compliance.Conclusions:The best evidence for the prevention of pressure injury in adult ARDS patients with prone mechanical ventilation summarized in this study is convenient for clinical nurses to conduct more targeted and scientific evaluation and care of pressure injury for patients.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of high frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced imaging features in predicting cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 184 patients with PTMC confirmed by surgery and pathology in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2015 to December 2018 was performed. According to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, the patients were divided into metastasis group and non-metastasis group. Univariate analysis was used to compare the features of high frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the two groups, and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of cervical lymph node metastasis, and their prediction value was analyzed with ROC curves.Results:Among 184 patients, 50 (27.2%) had lymph node metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that age (χ 2=10.026) , number of nodules (χ 2=10.497) , calcification (χ 2=17.414) , aspect ratio (χ 2=4.564) , nodule location (χ 2=20.542) , enhancement time (χ 2=7.882) , enhancement mode (χ 2=6.416) and enhancement intensity (χ 2=9.899) were significantly associated with cervical lymph mode metastasis (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age<45 years old ( OR=2.626, 95 %CI:1.141-6.052) , multifocal lesions ( OR=3.648, 95 %CI:1.542-8.631) , microcalcification ( OR=2.925, 95 %CI:1.055-8.115) and equal/high enhancement ( OR=8.042, 95 %CI: 1.879-34.429) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of above indicators combined was 0.762. Conclusions:High frequency ultrasonography combined with contrast-enhanced imaging can provide useful information for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis of PTMC. For PTMC patients aged<45 years with multifocal lesions, microcalcification and equal/high enhancement, the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis is significantly increased.

Objective To study the effect of estrogen on proliferation of astrocytes in hippocampus of mice following middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).Methods One hundred and eight Kunming mice were randomly divided into estrogen group(n=54)and saline group(n=54).The animals in two groups underwent right MCAO with tissue samples taken at 3,6,12,24,48and 72h after MCAO.The ischemic site was detected and the ischemic size was measured with TTC staining,the damage of neurons in hippocampus was assayed with HE staining,the expression of GFAP in hippocampal astrocytes was detected with immunohistochemical staining.Results The cerebral infarction size was significantly smaller in estrogen group than in saline group at different time points after MCAO(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)especially at 12hafter MCAO(31.50％±3.36％vs 54.50％±5.68％,P=0.019).The damage of hippocampal neurons aggregated with the prolonged ischemia time in two groups and was milder in estrogen group than in saline group at the same time points.The expression level of GFAP positive cells in bilateral hippocampal areas was higher when the ischemia time was prolonged and was significantly higher in ischemic hippocampus of estrogen group than in that of control group except at 6hin CA3ischemic area(P＜0.05).Conclusion Estrogen can protect mice against focal cerebral ischemia,stimulate the genesis of astrocyte synapses,alleviate neuronal damage after ischemia,and can thus reduce the size of cerebral infarction.

Objective    To evaluate the significance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD). Methods     We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 445 AAD patients who were admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and the Changsha Central Hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 within a time interval of ≤14 days from the onset of symptoms to hospital admission, including 353 males and 92 females with the age of 45-61 years. LDH levels were measured on admission and the endpoint was the all-cause mortality during hospitalization. Results    During hospitalization, 86 patients died and 359 patients survived. Increased level of LDH was found in non-survivors compared with that in the survived [269.50 (220.57, 362.58) U/L vs. 238.00 (191.25, 289.15) U/L, P<0.001]. A nonlinear relationship between LDH levels and in-hospital mortality was observed. Using multivariable logistic analysis, we found that LDH was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in the patients with AAD [OR=1.002, 95% CI (1.001 to 1.014), P=0.006]. Furthermore, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we observed that the best threshold of LDH level was 280.70 U/L, and the area under the curve was 0.624 (95% CI 0.556 to 0.689). Conclusion    LDH level on admission is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with AAD.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) encephalitis.Methods Twelve encephalitis patients with anti-LGI1 antibodies were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2015 to December 2016.The clinical manifestations,electroencephalogram,laboratory examination and imaging findings were summarized and the prognosis was observed.The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used for evaluation before and after treatment.Results The major clinical features included memory deficit (10/12),spatial disorientation (7/12),epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (9/12),faciobrachial dystonic seizures (7/12),hyponatremia (5/12),mental and behavioral abnormalites (1/12),light sleep (1/12),increased sleep (3/12),aphasis (4/12),dysphagia,choking (2/12),headache (1/12),dizziness (2/12),fatigue (2/12),ataxia (2/12),bradycardia (3/12),urinary disorders (2/12),intestinal obstruction (1/12),diarrhea (1/12).Admission mRS score was found to be three in eight cases,four in four cases.The abnormal electroencephalogram was found in six cases,mainly manifested as focal or diffuse slow wave,some accompanied by epileptic wave.MRI scan of brain showed abnormal signals in four cases,mainly involved medial temporal lobe,hippocampus,basal ganglia,while one patient avoided MRI scan due to implantation of pacemaker.Two patients presented with pulmonary nodules,one case with positive thyroid antibody and increased rheumatoid factor.The follow-up after treatment showed no one died;mRS score was two in two cases,one in nine cases and zero in one case;the sequelae were memory deficit,increased sleep,faciobrachial dystonic seizures.Conclusions Anti-LGI1 encephalitis is a treatable disease,cardinal clinical features of which are seizures,cognitive disorders,hyponatremia.Immunotherapy can improve the symptoms of the disease significantly,and the prognosis is better comparatively.

Aim To investigate the effect of the total flavonoids of Epimedium (TFE)on MAPK/NF-κB sig-naling pathway and the inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus of natural aging male rats.Methods The morphological changes of the hippocampus com-posed of three areas (CA1 ,CA3 and DG)were ob-served using haematoxylin-eoin (HE ) staining.The protein expression levels of senescence-associated pro-tein p21,apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2, nuclear transcription factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65 )and its downstream inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1βand COX-2,and MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins (ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,JNK,p-JNK,p38MAPK,p-p38MAPK)in hippocampal were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with natural aging group, TFE obviously improved the morphology and structure of hippocampal neurons,and the nerve cells arranged neatly and closely. Furthermore, TFE significantly downregulated the protein expression levels of p2 1 and Bax,upregulated the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax,and reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 and of its downstream inflammatory fac-tors TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, and MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins (p-ERK1/2,p-JNK and p-p38 MAPK ) in hippocampus of natural aging rats. Conclusions TFE effectively protects against inflam-matory reaction in brain aging of SD male rats.The mechanism is related with inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation and reduction of its downstream inflamma-tory cytokines expression by inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway activation.