Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of monitoring indicators related to the"Perioperative In-fection Control"in medical institutions above the secondary level in Guizhou Province,and to delve into the imple-mentation of key measures for infection prevention and control during the perioperative period for patients under-going surgical operations.METHODS Based on the"Implementation Plan for the'Perioperative Infection Control'Initiative in Guizhou Province",a"Case Investigation Form on Key Measures for Infection Prevention and Control During the Perioperative Period for Patients Undergoing Surgical Operation"was developed.A total of 138 medi-cal institutions participated in the case investigation,and a total of 2 128 cases were investigated.RESULTS The overall monitoring indicators for the"Perioperative Infection Control"initiative in the 138 medical institutions a-bove the secondary level in Guizhou Province were at a relatively low level.The skin cleansing compliance rate was 80.32％,the hair removal compliance rate was 16.43％,the prophylactic antibacterial drug administration rate within 0.5-1 hour before surgery was 55.94％and the antibacterial drug discontinuation rate within 24 hours after prophylactic medication for type Ⅰ incision surgeries was 56.48％.The hair removal compliance rate was higher in tertiary medical institutions(19.21％)than in secondary medical institutions(14.34％)(P=0.039).The distri-bution of the four monitoring indicators varied in clinical departments and surgery types,with statistically signifi-cant differences(P＜0.05).The preferred method for surgical site skin cleansing in medical institutions across the province was local wiping,primarily with clean water(57.21％).The primary method for hair removal was razors(68.82％),and hair removal on the day of surgery was most common(61.75％).CONCLUSIONS Conduc-ting a survey on the current status of"Perioperative Infection Control"initiative monitoring indicators in medi-cal institutions in Guizhou Province helps to understand the implementation of key measures for perioperative in-fection prevention and control and set intervention targets,thus providing references for establishing a dynam-ic monitoring indicator change mechanism.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of monitoring indicators related to the"Perioperative In-fection Control"in medical institutions above the secondary level in Guizhou Province,and to delve into the imple-mentation of key measures for infection prevention and control during the perioperative period for patients under-going surgical operations.METHODS Based on the"Implementation Plan for the'Perioperative Infection Control'Initiative in Guizhou Province",a"Case Investigation Form on Key Measures for Infection Prevention and Control During the Perioperative Period for Patients Undergoing Surgical Operation"was developed.A total of 138 medi-cal institutions participated in the case investigation,and a total of 2 128 cases were investigated.RESULTS The overall monitoring indicators for the"Perioperative Infection Control"initiative in the 138 medical institutions a-bove the secondary level in Guizhou Province were at a relatively low level.The skin cleansing compliance rate was 80.32％,the hair removal compliance rate was 16.43％,the prophylactic antibacterial drug administration rate within 0.5-1 hour before surgery was 55.94％and the antibacterial drug discontinuation rate within 24 hours after prophylactic medication for type Ⅰ incision surgeries was 56.48％.The hair removal compliance rate was higher in tertiary medical institutions(19.21％)than in secondary medical institutions(14.34％)(P=0.039).The distri-bution of the four monitoring indicators varied in clinical departments and surgery types,with statistically signifi-cant differences(P＜0.05).The preferred method for surgical site skin cleansing in medical institutions across the province was local wiping,primarily with clean water(57.21％).The primary method for hair removal was razors(68.82％),and hair removal on the day of surgery was most common(61.75％).CONCLUSIONS Conduc-ting a survey on the current status of"Perioperative Infection Control"initiative monitoring indicators in medi-cal institutions in Guizhou Province helps to understand the implementation of key measures for perioperative in-fection prevention and control and set intervention targets,thus providing references for establishing a dynam-ic monitoring indicator change mechanism.

Objective·To investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between celiac disease(CeD)and Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)as well as Graves disease(GD),using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.Methods·Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)related to CeD,HT and GD were extracted from publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies(GWAS)databases and used as instrumental variables.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median(WME)and weighted mode(WMO)methods,to evaluate the causal associations between CeD and both HT and GD.Replication analyses using alternative GWAS datasets were conducted to validate the robustness of the results.Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test,and pleiotropy was evaluated via MR-Egger intercept test.Leave-one-out analyses were performed to assess the impact of individual SNPs on the results.Results·The IVW analysis results indicated that genetically predicted CeD significantly increased the risk of HT[discovery group:OR=1.186(95%CI 1.114?1.262),P<0.001;replication group:OR=1.218(95%CI 1.090?1.361),P<0.001]and GD[discovery group:OR=1.214(95%CI 1.155?1.276),P<0.001;replication group:OR=1.273(95%CI 1.161?1.396),P<0.001].However,reverse MR analyses did not provide evidence for a causal relationship between HT and CeD,while genetically predicted GD significantly increased the risk of CeD[discovery group:OR=1.259(95%CI 1.006?1.576),P=0.044;replication group:OR=1.387(95%CI 1.233?1.560),P<0.001].Sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were not influenced by horizontal pleiotropy.Conclusion·CeD may be causally associated with a higher risk of HT and GD,while GD may increase the risk of developing CeD.HT does not appear to have an impact on CeD.

Objective·To investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between celiac disease(CeD)and Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)as well as Graves disease(GD),using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.Methods·Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)related to CeD,HT and GD were extracted from publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies(GWAS)databases and used as instrumental variables.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median(WME)and weighted mode(WMO)methods,to evaluate the causal associations between CeD and both HT and GD.Replication analyses using alternative GWAS datasets were conducted to validate the robustness of the results.Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test,and pleiotropy was evaluated via MR-Egger intercept test.Leave-one-out analyses were performed to assess the impact of individual SNPs on the results.Results·The IVW analysis results indicated that genetically predicted CeD significantly increased the risk of HT[discovery group:OR=1.186(95%CI 1.114?1.262),P<0.001;replication group:OR=1.218(95%CI 1.090?1.361),P<0.001]and GD[discovery group:OR=1.214(95%CI 1.155?1.276),P<0.001;replication group:OR=1.273(95%CI 1.161?1.396),P<0.001].However,reverse MR analyses did not provide evidence for a causal relationship between HT and CeD,while genetically predicted GD significantly increased the risk of CeD[discovery group:OR=1.259(95%CI 1.006?1.576),P=0.044;replication group:OR=1.387(95%CI 1.233?1.560),P<0.001].Sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were not influenced by horizontal pleiotropy.Conclusion·CeD may be causally associated with a higher risk of HT and GD,while GD may increase the risk of developing CeD.HT does not appear to have an impact on CeD.

Objective To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Emodin on Doxorubicin(DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity.Methods H9C2 cells were preincubated with low,medium and high doses(5,15 and 25 μmol·L-1)of Emodin for 8 h,and then cardiomyocytes were treated with 2.5 μmol·L-1 DOX for 16 h to establish a cardiotoxic injury model.MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate.The levels of cardiac troponin(cTnT),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),creatine kinase(CK),superoxide dismutase(SOD),reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and the activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in H9C2 cells were detected by kit;RT-qPCR was used to detect miR-29a-5p and vascular endothelial growth factor-B(VEGFB)expression levels.The expression levels of VEGFB protein and other apoptosis-related factors were detected by Western blot.After transfection of miR-29a-5p mimics and inhibitors,the targeting of VEGFB to miR-29a-5p was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.H9C2 cells were transfected with miR-29a-5p mimics,Under the dose of Emodin 15 μmol·L-1,the activity of H9C2 cells was detected by MTT method,and the expression levels of miR-29a-5p and VEGFB were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the DOX group,Emodin low,medium and high dose groups significantly increased the activity of H9C2 cells(P<0.05,P<0.01),and decreased the levels of cTnT,LDH and CK(P<0.05,P<0.01);RT-qPCR indicated that the expression level of miR-29a-5p decreased significantly and the expression level of VEGFB increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01);The levels of ROS and MDA decreased significantly,and the levels of GSH and GSH-Px increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01);TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly,and the activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 decreased significantly.Western blot showed that the expression level of VEGFB increased significantly,the expression level of apoptosis-related factor Bax decreased significantly,and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl increased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01).After transfection with miR-29a-5p mimics and inhibitors,the expression of VEGFB decreased and increased respectively(P<0.05,P<0.01).After transfection of miR-29a-5p mimics and treatment with Emodin 15 μmol·L-1 of H9C2 cells,the significant decrease in the activity of H9C2 cells induced by DOX was reversed,and the significant decrease in the expression level of VEGFB was also reversed(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Emodin significantly reduces DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating miR-29a-5p/VEGFB-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of bypass combined with devascularization in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.Methods Clinical data of 54 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who underwent surgery in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Yuedong Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2008 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received.Among 54 patients,37 cases were male and 17 female,aged from 37 to 52 years with a median age of 45 years.According to the operation procedure,the patients were divided into bypass combined with devascularization group (BD group,n=22) and selective devascularization groups (SD group,n=32).The perioperative free portal vein pressure (FPP) and the venous pressure at the gastric fundus and cardiac region (GCP) were compared by t test.The incidence of postoperative complications was compared by Chi-square test.Results In BD and SD groups,the FPP was (22±5) and (22±7) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) respectively,significantly lower than the preoperative FPP (32±4) and (31±5) mmHg (t=-17.21,-22.54;P＜0.05);The GCP was (18±7)and (20±3) mmHg respectively,significantly lower than (30±5) and (29±3) mmHg before surgery (t=-13.39,-20.44;P＜0.05).No significant difference was observed in the postoperative GCP and FPP between two groups (t=1.44,0.95;P＞0.05).In BD group,the recurrent rate of esophageal varices and incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy was 9％ and 18％ respectively,significantly lower than 28％ and 31％ in SD group (x2=5.31,4.89;P＜0.05).The incidence of rebleeding in BD group was 4％ and was 3％ in SD group,where no significant difference was observed (x2=0.21,P＞0.05).Conclusions Compared with selective devascularization,the combination of bypass and devascularization in treating esophageal variceal bleeding yields similar clinical efficacy,and has the advantages of lower postoperative recurrent rate of esophageal varices and incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy.

Objective: To study the clinical outcome of transoral CO₂ laser surgery for glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure. Methods: Thirty-two cases of glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure treated by transoral CO₂ laser surgery between March 2009 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these cases, 27 were T1bM0M0, 5 were T2N0M0. All cases were followed-up for more than 3 years. Results: All the 32 cases were successfully treated. Perioperative complications included injuries in the soft palate mucosa(13/32, 40.63%), loose incisors(3/32, 9.38%) and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck(2/32, 6.25%). During the follow-up period, granulation was found in all cases. Three cases had local recurrence. Two patients treated by a secondary transoral CO₂ laser surgery and the other case had total laryngectomy, all three cases were followed up for 5 years without recurrence. Two cases had regional recurrence but no primary site recurrence. One patient was treated by neck dissection, and followed up for 5 years without recurrence. The other patient died of supraclavicular and mediastinal lymph node metastasis and lung metastasis 40 months after operation. The overall 5-year survival rate was 90.6%. There was no significant difference in survival rate between T1bN0M0(92.6%) and T2N0M0(80.0%) (Log Rank χ²=0.788, P=0.375). The overall 5-year local regional control rate was 84.4%. In T1bN0M0 lesions, the 5-year local regional control rate was 92.6%, which was significantly higher than that in T2N0M0 lesions(40.0%) (Log Rank χ²=9.504, P=0.002). Conclusion With appropriate surgical indication, detailed preoperative evaluation, good surgical skill, transoral CO₂ laser surgery may achieve satisfactory outcome in the treatment of glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of cervical esophagostomy for the treatment of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy, in order to improve the therapeutic effects.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 53 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with dysphagia, who received cervical esophagostomy. The nutritional status of these patients was measured at five given time before and after operation. The occurrence of pneumonia and reflux esophagitis before and after operation was recorded, and the quality of life based on SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scale was studied.

RESULTSAfter operation, the nutritional status of these patients improved substantially, including the weight, levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferring (P<0.05). The pneumonia-infection decreased from 60.38% (32/53) before operation to 15.22% (7/46) after operation (χ(2)=21.04, P<0.01). The incidences of reflux esophagitis decreased from 26.42% (14/53)without operation to 6.52% (3/46) after operation (χ(2)=5.00, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the status of physical health, mental health as well as physical function and social function of these patients were improved significantly at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after operation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCervical esophagostomy can improve the life quality of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma ; Deglutition Disorders ; complications ; surgery ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; complications ; Esophagostomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; radiotherapy ; Pneumonia ; complications ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the clinical efifcacy of sorafenib in preventing the recurrence of primary liver cancer after radical surgery. Methods Seventy patients with primary liver cancer undergoing radical surgery in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between June 2009 and June 2012 were enrolled in this prospective study. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. According to different postoperative therapies, the patients were divided into the sorafenib group (n=24) and control group (n=46). In the sorafenib group, there were 22 males and 2 females with a mean age of (48±10) years. A dose of 400 mg sorafenib was orally administered twice daily for consecutive 6 months. In the control group, there were 40 males and 6 females with a mean age of (48±11) years. The patients were orally administered with placebo. All patients received postoperative follow-up. Postoperative recurrence rate, survival rate and drug-induced adverse reactions were observed. Postoperative recurrence rate and incidence of adverse reactions of two groups were compared using Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test. Postoperative survival rate was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plot and Log-rank test. Results In the sorafenib group, the 1-, 2-and 3-year recurrence rates were 25%(6/24), 42%(10/24), 50%(12/24) respectively, and 28%(13/46), 46%(21/46), 53%(25/46) respectively in the control group. No signiifcant difference was observed between two groups (χ2=0.020, 0.102, 0.120;P>0.05). The 1-, 2-and 3-year cumulative survival rates in the sorafenib group were 95.83%, 87.50%and 70.83%, and no signiifcant difference was observed compared with 91.30%, 82.61%and 63.04%in the control group (χ2=0.078, P>0.05). In the sorafenib group, the incidence of hand-foot skin reaction, diarrhea, hypertension and erythema were 42%(10/24), 29%(7/24), 21%(5/24) and 25%(6/24), which were signiifcantly higher compared with 7%(3/46), 7%(3/46), 2%(1/46) and 4%(2/46) in the control group (χ2=10.663, 4.885, 4.828, 4.762;P<0.05). Conclusion Sorafenib can neither decrease postoperative recurrence of peimary liver cancer after radical surgery nor enhance the overall survival rate.