Objective To investigate the predictive value of the combined tumor burden score (TBS) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) score model for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The general information of 158 recipients diagnosed with HCC and underwent liver transplantation at the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from 2008 to 2021 was collected. Lasso regression analysis combined with multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence after liver transplantation with HCC. A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on variables selected by Lasso regression analysis, and the predictive performance of the model was verified by calibration curve and clinical decision curve. The optimal cut-off values for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival differences among different groups. Results Among the 158 liver transplant recipients with HCC, 82 experienced tumor recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 51.9% and a median tumor-free survival time of 10 (4, 25) months. Results of Lasso regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/mL, TBS and PALBI score were all independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC (all P<0.05). The combined high TBS-high PALBI score showed the highest predictive value (hazard ratio 6.909, 95% confidence interval 3.067-15.563, P<0.001). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on six variables selected by Lasso regression analysis. Calibration curve showed good consistency between the model's predicted results and the ideal curve. Decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram prediction model provided the highest clinical benefit for predicting 1-year tumor-free survival after liver transplantation with HCC. Time-dependent ROC curves at 1, 3 and 5 years after surgery showed that TBS-PALBI model had good predictive performance, with no significant difference in area under the curve (AUC) compared with TBS-PALBI-AFP model. The optimal cut-off values for predicting postoperative tumor recurrence were determined by ROC curve, with a PALBI score cut-off of −2.334 and a TBS cut-off of 5.305. Recipients were divided into a low TBS-low PALBI score group (n=47) and a low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group (at least one score was high) (n=111). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the low TBS-low PALBI score group had a higher tumor-free survival rate than the low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group, with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions TBS-PALBI model provides a novel, simple and effective tool for assessing the prognosis of liver transplant recipients with HCC. The nomogram model constructed based on this has significant advantages in predictive performance and may serve as a reference for guiding individualized treatment plans and improving clinical outcomes.

Objective To compare the long-term prognosis differences between surgical radical resection and endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer patients based on the SEER database. Methods A total of 1 437 patients with stage Tis to T_1b gastric adenocarcinoma were selected from the SEER database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013. They were divided into a surgery group (n=1 257) and an endoscope group (n=180) according to the treatment method. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression model were used to analyze survival outcomes. Results The patients in the surgery group were younger than those in the endoscope group ([67.63±12.97] years old vs [71.29±10.82] years old), with higher rates of T₁ stage (97.45% vs 87.78%) and lymph node metastasis (19.73% vs 5.00%, all P＜0.001). The median follow-up time for all patients was 37 (15, 66) months, and the mortality rate of gastric cancer in the endoscope group was lower than that in the surgery group (23.33% vs 27.13%, P＜0.001). Univariate Cox analysis showed that treatment modality, age, sex, T stage, lymph node metastasis were all associated with early gastric cancer mortality (all P＜0.05), and the risk of death in the endoscope group was 43% of that in the surgery group (HR=0.43, P=0.015). After adjusting for multiple factors, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality risk between the two groups (P=0.067), but after excluding lymph node positive patients, the mortality risk in the endoscope group was 46% of that in the surgery group (HR=0.46, P=0.048). Conclusions For early gastric cancer patients with negative lymph nodes, endoscopic resection may provide better survival benefits than surgical procedures, suggesting that it can be the preferred treatment strategy for patients with low risk of lymph node metastasis.

Objective To investigate the effect of Jisuikang formula-medicated serum for promoting spinal cord injury (SCI) repair in rats and explore the possible mechanism. Methods Thirty adult SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, SCI (induced using a modified Allen method) model group, and Jisuikang formula-medicated serum treatment group. After the operations, the rats were treated with normal saline or Jisuikang by gavage on a daily basis for 14 days, and the changes in hindlimb motor function of the rats was assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores and inclined-plate test. The injured spinal cord tissues were sampled from the SCI rat models for single-cell RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the target genes of Jisuikang, spinal cord injury and glycolysis. In the cell experiment, cultured astrocytes from neonatal SD rat cortex were treated with SOX2 alone or in combination with Jisuikang-medicated serum for 21 days, and the protein expressions of PKM2, p-PKM2 and YAP and colocalization of PKM2 and YAP in the cells were analyzed with Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Results The SCI rats with Jisuikang treatment showed significantly improved BBB scores and performance in inclined-plate test. At the injury site, high PKM2 expression was detected in various cell types. Bioinformatic analysis identified the HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway as the target pathway of Jisuikang. In cultured astrocytes, SOX2 combined with the mediated serum, as compared with SOX2 alone, significantly increased PKM2, p-PKM2 and YAP expressions and entry of phosphorylated PKM2 into the nucleus, and promoted PKM2 and YAP co-localization in the cells. Conclusion Jisuikang formula accelerates SCI repair in rats possibly by promoting aerobic glycolysis of the astrocytes via activating the PKM2/YAP axis to induce reprogramming of the astrocytes into neurons.

Objective To investigate the effect of Jisuikang formula-medicated serum for promoting spinal cord injury (SCI) repair in rats and explore the possible mechanism. Methods Thirty adult SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, SCI (induced using a modified Allen method) model group, and Jisuikang formula-medicated serum treatment group. After the operations, the rats were treated with normal saline or Jisuikang by gavage on a daily basis for 14 days, and the changes in hindlimb motor function of the rats was assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores and inclined-plate test. The injured spinal cord tissues were sampled from the SCI rat models for single-cell RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the target genes of Jisuikang, spinal cord injury and glycolysis. In the cell experiment, cultured astrocytes from neonatal SD rat cortex were treated with SOX2 alone or in combination with Jisuikang-medicated serum for 21 days, and the protein expressions of PKM2, p-PKM2 and YAP and colocalization of PKM2 and YAP in the cells were analyzed with Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Results The SCI rats with Jisuikang treatment showed significantly improved BBB scores and performance in inclined-plate test. At the injury site, high PKM2 expression was detected in various cell types. Bioinformatic analysis identified the HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway as the target pathway of Jisuikang. In cultured astrocytes, SOX2 combined with the mediated serum, as compared with SOX2 alone, significantly increased PKM2, p-PKM2 and YAP expressions and entry of phosphorylated PKM2 into the nucleus, and promoted PKM2 and YAP co-localization in the cells. Conclusion Jisuikang formula accelerates SCI repair in rats possibly by promoting aerobic glycolysis of the astrocytes via activating the PKM2/YAP axis to induce reprogramming of the astrocytes into neurons.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic disease but causes the highest mortality and morbidity among the cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Correlations between CAD and gut microbiota have been observed. This suggests that the gut microbiota could become a vital diagnostic marker of CAD, and restoring the gut habitat may become a promising strategy for CAD therapy. The elevated level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, was found to be associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the all-cause mortality. Preclinical studies have shown that it has pro-arteriosclerosis properties. It is likely that regulating the production of TMAO by gut microbiota may become a promising strategy for anti-atherosclerosis therapy. This review summarizes the clinical and preclinical researches on the intervention of CAD by regulating the gut microbiota and the microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO, with the aim to provide new target for the therapy of CAD.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Methylamines ; Oxides

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of myoblast formation around the urethra of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) rats after treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) or musclelike cells/calcium alginate composite gel injection therapy.MethodsIsolation,cultivation and identification of Sprague-Dawley rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell were performed.5-azacytidine was introduced to induce muscle-like cells.Calcium alginate gel was initially prepared by 2％ sodium alginate and 1％ calcium chloride solution at a volume ratio of 5∶1.Compounds of stem cells or muscle-like cells were mixed with gel,respectively,and were prepared for microinjection.SUI was produced in 72 6-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats.The rats were then divided into 4 groups:Gel group,stem cell-gel group,muscle-like cell-gel group and mock control group.Each group was further divided into 3 groups.Submucosal injection of gel was performed at urethra and bladder neck.After preparation of cross sections of rat urinary tract at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injection,HE staining,fluorescent tracing,staining of Desmin and α-skeletal muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed.OD values of positive rates were compared.ResultsAt 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injection in stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group,growth of blood vessels gradually increased at gel edge,BMSCs and muscle-like cells gathered around the new blood vessels observed by fl(u)orescence tracer,muscle-like cells grew into elongated spindle-like cells.Desmin and α-SMA staining were positive in these groups,and the OD values in the stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group was significantly higher than that from the gel only group and control group,but no difference was found between stem cell-gel group and muscle-like cell-gel group.ConclusionsCompound of BMSCs,muscle-like cells and calcium alginate composite gel has the potential to differentiate into muscle cells in the microenvironment of SUI rat model.In short term,the myoblast formation potential is the same whether the BMSCs was introduced into the micro-environment in vivo directly,or the BMSCs was implanted into microenvironment after the formation of the muscles cells induced by 5-azacytidine in vitro.

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and the treatment of male interstitial cystitis (IC) to improve the efficiency.MethodsEighteen cases of IC male patients treated from Jan 2010 to Dec 2010 who suffered from suprapnbic pain urinary frequency and urgency were analyzed retrospectively.All these patients were misdiagnosed as category Ⅲ chronic prostatitis.According to the NIDDK diagnostic criteria of IC,Pelvic Pain and Urgency Frequency (PUF) scoring,potassium sensitivity test (PST),and cystoscopy under anaesthesia were used to establish the diagnosis of IC.24 h urinary diary,routine uronoscopy,prostate fluid routine and bacterial culture examination were taken before the treatment of hydrodistention and intravesical instillation of heparin.ResultsAfter the follow-up 12 to 25 months ( average,19 months),the symptoms improved distinctly.The PUF scoring was 19.2 ±4.1 before treatment and 13.6 ±2.4 after treatment respectively ( P ＜ 0.01 ).24 hours' frequency and amount of urination were (7.5 ± 4.3)times and (241.7 ±45.3) ml after treatment compared with (11.5 ±3.9) times and (159.5 ±30.8) ml before treatment ( P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe male IC and chronic prostatitis share the same symptoms.They can be differentiated by the IC diagnosis.The treatment of hydrodistention alone with oral tolterodine tartrate sustained release tablets and intravesical instillation of heparin can evidently improve the symptoms of the male IC patients.

Objective To discuss the influent factors and managements of lower urinary tract injury caused by tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. Methods From Mar.2001 to Feb.2011,609stress urinary incontinence (SUI) patients were trested by TVT.Lower urinary tract injury appeared in 39 cases (6.4％),which age from 39 to 78 years (average age 52.7 ± 18.3).The history of disease was 2 to 12 years.Preoperative SUI types were 12 cases of Ⅱ type SUI,22 cases of Ⅱ/Ⅲ type SUI and 5 cases of Ⅲ type SUI.The patients who had low urinary tract injury were retrospective analyzed to figure out the causes and influent factors,and recorded the treatments and follow-ups. Results 39 patients (6.4％) suffered from low urinary tract injury,including 36 oases (5.9％) of bladder perforation and 3 cases of urethral injury.In these 39 patients,34 (87.2％) patients had history of pelvic surgeries,including 18 (52.9％) cases of total hysterectomy,9 (26.5％) cases of cesarean section delivery,4 (11.8％) cases of hysteromyomectomia and 3 (8.8％) cases of ovarian surgery.All of the 36 bladder peeroration patients were re-punctured and the catheter was kept for 4 - 5 d.Three urethral injury patients were re-punctured after the urethral rupture was sutured and the catheter was kept for 2 weeks.All the 39 patients were cured and discharged.No urinary fistula,infection or other postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions The history of pelvic surgery may be an important risk factor of the lower urinary tract injury,which should pay attention.If the bladder perforation occurred,re-puncture should be taken by adjust the direction.If there was a urethral injury,the re-puncture should be taken after the suturing of the urethral rupture.

Objective To observe the expression and mechanism of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in interstitial cystitis (IC) rats.Methods Twenty weight of 250-300 g of female SD rats were divided into IC group (n =10) and control group (n =10).IC group were treated by transurethral instillation with 10 mg/ml protamine sulfate (PS) 1 ml reserved for 45 min,and then instillation with 750 ug/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 1 ml reserved for 30 min.The same operations were repeated after 24 hours,and the rats were killed obtaining the bladder tissue and urine after three days.Control group was given PBS solution perfusion.MCP-1 and histamine (HA) expression levels in the rat bladder tissue and urine were detected by ELISA.The inflammation of bladder tissue was observed and inflammatory score was used by HE staining.MC degranulation count was used by MC special staining.MCP-1 expression and distribution in bladder tissue was observed by immunohistochemical method.The relationship between the MCP-1 and MC was detected by immunofluorescence method.Results By ELISA,the expression levels of MCP-1 and HA in the bladder tissue and urine in IC group were significantly increased compared with control group (P ＜0.01 ).More inflammatory cell infiltration in the bladder mucosa,edema mucosa,congestion and hemorrhage were seen by HE staining.The inflammatory score in IC and control group were (76.5 ±9.8) and (18.5± 9.8)/field (P ＜ 0.01 ).With MC special staining,degranulation MC count in IC and control group were (6.4±3.1 ) and (0.7 ±0.3)/field (P ＜0.01 ),and the degranulation in the bladder tissue of IC group was significantly higher than control group (P ＜ 0.01 ).MCP-1 has a higher expression in the bladder epithelium,and more MCP-1 were found gathering round MC surface by immunofluorescence.Conclusions MCP-1 is highly expressed in IC rats,and could induced activation of MC,which could release HA,aggravating the pathological process of inflammatory and fibrosis in IC.

One hundred and twenty five patients, who underwent cystoscopic examination, were randomly divided into two groups: the control group ( n = 62) received conventional cystoscopy, and the treatment group (n = 63) received rociverine 20 mg 1 h before cystoscpy.The pain levels were evaluated using numeric rating scale (NRS) in all patients.The average NRS during examination was 2.1 ±0.9 and 3.6 ± 1.8 in treatment group and control group respectively( P ＜0.01 ).The pain scores in control g roupwere still higher than those in treatment group 15 min and 1 d after procedure ( P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05,respectively).