Objective:To investigate microstructural alterations in the optic chiasm and optic radiations of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) based on diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Retrospective analyses were conducted on the clinical and imaging data of 63 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 62 patients with NMOSD diagnosed at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023. According to the occurrence of optic neuritis (ON), they were categorized into ON-positive MS (ON+MS) group (40 cases), ON-negative MS (ON-MS) group (23 cases), ON-positive NMOSD (ON+NMOSD) group (40 cases) and ON-negative NMOSD (ON-NMOSD) group (22 cases). In addition, 40 healthy controls were enrolled during the same period. DKI data of all subjects were collected, and DKI post-processing was performed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA), mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (AK), and radial kurtosis (RK) values of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiations. The scores of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) were obtained. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the differences in DKI parameters of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiation among the 5 groups, and the Holm-Bonferroni method was employed for multiple comparison correction in pairwise comparisons.Results:There were statistically significant overall differences in the DKI parameters of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiations among healthy control group, ON+MS group, ON-MS group, ON+NMOSD group, and ON-NMOSD group (all P0.05). The FA value of the optic chiasm in ON+NMOSD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group and ON-MS group, as well as ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). The FA value of the left optic radiation in ON+NMOSD group was lower than that in healthy control group and the ON-MS group. The RK value of the optic chiasm in ON+MS group was lower than that in the healthy control group and ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). The MK and RK values of the left optic radiation in ON-MS group were significantly lower than those in the ON+NMOSD group and ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). Conclusions:NMOSD and RRMS patients demonstrate varying degrees of microstructural damage in the optic chiasm and optic radiations. Differences of DKI parameters suggest different pathological mechanisms of visual pathway damage between NMOSD and MS, which may be helpful for early detection of occult visual pathway lesions.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) combined with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.Methods:Thirty-two elderly New Zealand rabbits of either sex, aged 36 months, weighing 3.5-4.0 kg, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using the random number table method: control group (C group), fracture fixation group (F group), low molecular weight heparin group (L group) and BZYQT combined with LMWH group (BL group). A model of fixation surgery for right femoral shaft fracture was established in anesthetized rabbits in F, L and BL groups. Starting from postoperative day 1, BL group received BZYQT at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, F and L groups received normal saline at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, L and BL groups received subcutaneous injection of LMWH at 200 IU/kg, and all the administrations were performed daily at 08: 00 for 7 consecutive days. On postoperative day 7, ultrasound examination was performed to assess lower limb DVT. Blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein for determination of the serum concentrations of cortisol (COR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Femoral vein specimens were obtained under anesthesia for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of the femoral vein lumen and endothelial tissues (by HE staining) and of the morphology of vascular endothelial cells (by the transmission electron microscopy). Results:Compared with C group, the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly increased in F, L and BL groups, and the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly increased in F and L groups ( P<0.05). Compared with F group, the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly decreased in L and BL groups, and the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly reduced in BL group. Compared with L group, the incidence of lower limb DVT and concentration of IL-6 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and pathological damage was significantly alleviated in BL group. Conclusions:BZYQT combined with LMWH can prevent the occurrence of lower limb DVT after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) combined with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.Methods:Thirty-two elderly New Zealand rabbits of either sex, aged 36 months, weighing 3.5-4.0 kg, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using the random number table method: control group (C group), fracture fixation group (F group), low molecular weight heparin group (L group) and BZYQT combined with LMWH group (BL group). A model of fixation surgery for right femoral shaft fracture was established in anesthetized rabbits in F, L and BL groups. Starting from postoperative day 1, BL group received BZYQT at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, F and L groups received normal saline at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, L and BL groups received subcutaneous injection of LMWH at 200 IU/kg, and all the administrations were performed daily at 08: 00 for 7 consecutive days. On postoperative day 7, ultrasound examination was performed to assess lower limb DVT. Blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein for determination of the serum concentrations of cortisol (COR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Femoral vein specimens were obtained under anesthesia for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of the femoral vein lumen and endothelial tissues (by HE staining) and of the morphology of vascular endothelial cells (by the transmission electron microscopy). Results:Compared with C group, the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly increased in F, L and BL groups, and the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly increased in F and L groups ( P<0.05). Compared with F group, the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly decreased in L and BL groups, and the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly reduced in BL group. Compared with L group, the incidence of lower limb DVT and concentration of IL-6 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and pathological damage was significantly alleviated in BL group. Conclusions:BZYQT combined with LMWH can prevent the occurrence of lower limb DVT after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.

Objective:To investigate microstructural alterations in the optic chiasm and optic radiations of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) based on diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Retrospective analyses were conducted on the clinical and imaging data of 63 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 62 patients with NMOSD diagnosed at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023. According to the occurrence of optic neuritis (ON), they were categorized into ON-positive MS (ON+MS) group (40 cases), ON-negative MS (ON-MS) group (23 cases), ON-positive NMOSD (ON+NMOSD) group (40 cases) and ON-negative NMOSD (ON-NMOSD) group (22 cases). In addition, 40 healthy controls were enrolled during the same period. DKI data of all subjects were collected, and DKI post-processing was performed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA), mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (AK), and radial kurtosis (RK) values of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiations. The scores of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) were obtained. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the differences in DKI parameters of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiation among the 5 groups, and the Holm-Bonferroni method was employed for multiple comparison correction in pairwise comparisons.Results:There were statistically significant overall differences in the DKI parameters of the optic chiasm and bilateral optic radiations among healthy control group, ON+MS group, ON-MS group, ON+NMOSD group, and ON-NMOSD group (all P0.05). The FA value of the optic chiasm in ON+NMOSD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group and ON-MS group, as well as ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). The FA value of the left optic radiation in ON+NMOSD group was lower than that in healthy control group and the ON-MS group. The RK value of the optic chiasm in ON+MS group was lower than that in the healthy control group and ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). The MK and RK values of the left optic radiation in ON-MS group were significantly lower than those in the ON+NMOSD group and ON-NMOSD group ( P0.05). Conclusions:NMOSD and RRMS patients demonstrate varying degrees of microstructural damage in the optic chiasm and optic radiations. Differences of DKI parameters suggest different pathological mechanisms of visual pathway damage between NMOSD and MS, which may be helpful for early detection of occult visual pathway lesions.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of the inflammation scoring system based on the blood routine for complicated acute pancreatitis(CAP).Methods The clinical data of 630 patients with a-cute pancreatitis(AP)receiving the treatment in the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the mild a-cute pancreatitis(MAP)group and CAP group according to the disease severity degree.The propensity score matching was used to balance the baseline characteristics of the cases in the two groups,the differences be-tween the inflammatory scoring system based on the blood routine[neutrophile granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio(NLR),derived neutrophile granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio(dNLR),platelet/lymphocyte ratio(PLR),system-ic immune inflammatory index(SII)and systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)]and the clinical out-come indexes within 24 h of admission were analyzed,and the logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of CAP.Results A total of 404 patients were included in the study by the propensity score matching,each 202 cases in the two groups.In the CAP group,there were 35 cases(16.7％)receiving intensive care unit(ICU)treatment and 4 cases(1.9％)of death.Compared with the MAP group,WBC,neutrophile granulo-cyte,CRP,BUN,amylase and lipase levels and NLR,dNLR,SII and SIRI scores in the CAP group were high-er,serum calcium and albumin levels were lower,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The stepwise logistics regression analysis showed that CRP,albumin,lipase,serum calcium and SIRI were the independent influencing factors of CAP occurrence(P＜0.05).Conclusion The inflammation scoring system based on the blood routine could predict the CAP occurrence.

Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which contributes more than 80% to totally lung cancer cases, remains the leading cause of cancer death and the 5-year survival is less than 20%. Continuous understanding on the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this disease and identification of biomarkers for therapeutic application and response to treatment will help to improve patient survival. Here we found that a molecule known as DUSP10 (also known as MAPK phosphatase 5) is oncogenic in NSCLC.Overexpression of DUSP10 in NSCLC cells resulted in reduced activation of ERK and JNK, but increased activation of p38, which was associated with increased cellular growth and migration. When inoculated in immunodeficient mice, the DUSP10-overexpression NSCLC cells formed larger tumors compared to control cells. The increased growth of DUSP10-overexpression NSCLC cells was associated with increased expression of tumor-promoting cytokines including IL-6 and TGFβ. Importantly, higher DUSP10 expression was associated with poorer prognosis of NSCLC patients. Therefore, DUSP10 could severe as a biomarker for NSCLC prognosis and could be a target for development of therapeutic method for lung cancer treatment.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and its risk factors after radical gastrectomy. Methods: The prospective study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 089 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in 22 medical centers between December 2017 and November 2018 were collected, including 380 in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, 351 in the Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 130 in the Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 139 in the Peking University Cancer Hospital, 128 in the Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital, 114 in the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, 104 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 104 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, 103 in the Weifang People′s Hospital, 102 in the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 99 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, 97 in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 60 in the Hangzhou First People′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 48 in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 29 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, 26 in the Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, 26 in the Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, 23 in the Jiangsu Province Hospital, 13 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 7 in the Second Hospital of Jilin University, 4 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 2 in the Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital of Capital Medical University. Observation indicators: (1) the incidence of POPF after radical gastrectomy; (2) treatment of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy; (3) analysis of clinicopathological data; (4) analysis of surgical data; (5) risk factors for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using ANOVA. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the t test or chi-square test based on data excluding missing data of clinico-pathological and surgical data. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model based on factors with P<0.20 in univariate analysis. Results: There were 2 089 patients screened for eligibility, including 1 512 males, 576 females and 1 without sex information, aged (62±11)years. The body mass index (BMI) was (23±3)kg/m². (1) The incidence of POPF after radical gastrectomy: the total incidence rate of POPF in the 2 089 patients was 20.728%(433/2 089). The incidence rates of biochemical fistula, grade B pancreatic fistula, and grade C pancreatic fistula were 19.627%(410/2 089), 1.101%(23/2 089), 0, respectively. (2) Treatment of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy: 2 of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had drainage tube placed for more than 21 days and received anti-infective therapy. Four of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had ascites detected by imaging examination, of which 2 received peritoneal drainage guided by ultrasound, 1 received failed puncture drainage, 1 received no puncture drainage, and they were given anti-infective therapy. Eleven of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had no ascites detected by imaging examinations, and they were given anti-infective therapy and inhibitors of pancreas secretion for clinical manifestation as fever or elevated white blood cells. Six patients with no typical clinical manifestations were given somatostatin to inhibite pancreas secretion and prolonged duration of abdominal drainage tube placement (with a median time of 7 days). All the 23 patients recovered well after treatment, without reoperation. (3) Analysis of clinicopathological data: for the 2 089 patients, BMI, cases with or without neoadjuvant therapy were (23±3)kg/m^2, 1 487, 160 of patients without pancreatic fistula, (23±3)kg/m^2, 386, 22 of patients with biochemical fistula, and (24±3)kg/m^2, 22, 1 of patents with grade B pancreatic fistula, showing significant differences between the three groups (F=5.787, χ²=8.269, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of surgical data: for the 2 089 patients, cases with open surgery, laparoscopic assisted surgery, totally laparoscopic surgery (surgical method), cases with D₁ lymph lode dissection, D₂ lymph lode dissection, and other lymph lode dissection (range of lymph lode dissection), cases with no omentectomy, partial omentectomy, and total omentectomy (range of omentectomy), cases with no usage of energy facility, usage of CUSA, LigaSure, LigaSure+ CUSA as energy facility, cases with or without biological glue, the number of lymph node dissection were 737, 624, 292, 24, 1 580, 51, 418, 834, 381, 63, 1 530, 23, 16, 1 431, 201, 33±14 of patients without pancreatic fistula, 146, 189, 74, 11, 389, 9, 110, 171, 128, 35, 359, 6, 9, 378, 31, 31±14 of patients with biochemical fistula, and 14, 5, 4, 0, 20, 3, 6, 13, 4, 2, 18, 1, 2, 22, 1, 37±16 of patients with grade B pancreatic fistula, showing significant differences between the three groups (χ²=15.578, 9.397, 15.023, 28.245, 8.359, F=4.945, P<0.05). (5) Risk factors for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy: results of univariate analysis showed that usage of energy facility was a related factor for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy (χ²=9.914, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that laparoscopic assisted surgery, combined evisceration, application of LigaSure + CUSA, the number of lymph lode dissection were independent factors for for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy (odds ratio=0.168, 3.922, 9.250, 1.030, 95% confidence interval: 0.036-0.789, 1.031-14.919, 1.036-82.602, 1.001-1.059, P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy is relatively low. Laparoscopic assisted surgery, combined evisceration, application of LigaSure + CUSA, and the number of lymph lode dissection are independent risk factors for grade B POPF. Trial Registration: This study was registrated at ClinicalTrial.gov in United States with the registration number of NCT03391687.