ObjectiveTo explore the association between dietary retinol intake and prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MethodsThe study enrolled 388 cases with primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that was pathologically diagnosed in the first affiliated hospital of Fujian medical university and the cancer hospital of Fujian medical university from July 2014 to August 2019. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between retinol and patients' characteristics. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to analyze the relationship between retinol and multiple nutrients. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the association between dietary retinol and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. ResultsPatients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma did not significantly differ in gender， age， TNM stage， tumor length or nutrient intake by different retinol intakes （P>0.05）. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high retinol intake group had a better prognosis （overal survial：HR=0.279，95%CI：0.150‒0.520，P<0.001；disease-free survival：HR=0.306，95%CI：0.181‒0.516，P<0.001）. ConclusionHigh dietary retinol intake may improve the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected with Delta variant, so as to provide further references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A real-world study was conducted to analyze the characteristics of 166 COVID-19 patients infected with Delta variant at Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University.Results:The study enrolled 5 asymptomatic cases, 123 non-severe cases (mild and moderate type), and 38 severe cases (severe and critical type). Among these patients, 69 (41.6%) were male and 97 (58.4%) were female, with a mean age of 47.0±23.5 years. Thirty-nine cases (23.5%) had received 1 or 2 doses of inactivated vaccine. The incidence of severe COVID-19 cases was 7.7% in 2-doses vaccinated patients, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients. The proportion of severe cases in 2 dose-vaccinated patients was 7.7%, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose vaccinated patients and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The most common clinical symptom was fever (134 cases, 83.2%), and 39.1% of cases presented with high-grade fever (≥39 °C); other symptoms were cough, sputum, fatigue, and xerostomia. The proportion of fever in severe cases was significantly higher than that of non-severe cases (97.4% vs. 76.4%, P<0.01). Similarly, the proportion of severe cases with high peak temperature (≥39 ℃) () was also higher than that of non-severe cases (65.8% vs. 30.9%, P<0.01). The median minimal Cycle threshold (Ct) values of viral nucleic acid N gene and ORFlab gene were 20.3 and 21.5, respectively, and the minimum Ct values were 11.9 and 13.5, respectively. Within 48 h of admission, 9.0% of cases presented with decreased white blood cell counts, and 52.4% with decreased lymphocyte counts. The proportions of increased C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin 6, and interleukin 10 were 32.5%, 57.4%, 65.3%, and 35.7%, respectively. The proportions of elevated C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in severe cases were significantly higher than those in non-severe cases ( P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that older age and higher peak temperature were associated with a higher likelihood of severe cases ( OR>3, 95% CI: 2-7, P<0.01). In terms of treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was used in 97.6% of non-severe cases and 100% in severe cases. Other treatments included respiratory and nutritional support, immunotherapy (such as neutralizing antibodies and plasma of recovered patients). The median times from admission to progression to severe cases, of fever clearance, and of nucleic acid conversion were 5 days, 6 days and 19 days, respectively. No deaths were reported within 28 days. Conclusions:The symptoms of Delta variant infection in Guangzhou are characterized by a high proportion of fever, high peak temperature, long duration of fever, high viral load, a long time to nucleic acid conversion, and a high incidence of severe cases. The severe cases exhibit a higher percentage of elderly patients, a longer duration of fever and have a higher fever rate and a higher hyperthermia rate than non-severe cases. Age and hyperthermia are independent risk factors for progression to severe disease. The combination of TCM and Western medicine can control the progression of the disease effectively.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression level of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and clinical prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 94 recipients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. The expression of 15-PGDH in the pathological tissues of all recipients was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between the expression level of 15-PGDH protein and clinical parameters of hepatocellular carcinoma patients was analyzed. The 5-year tumor-free survival and overall survival rates of liver transplant recipients were calculated. The possible independent risk factors of the clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients were analyzed. Results The expression level of 15-PGDH was significantly correlated with age, Child-Pugh grade and preoperative level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) of the recipients (all P < 0.05). The tumor-free survival and overall survival rates of the recipients with low expression of 15-PGDH were significantly lower than those in their counterparts with high expression of 15-PGDH (both P < 0.05). The expression level of 15-PGDH, degree of tumor differentiation and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging were the independent risk factors of clinical prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (all P < 0.05). Conclusions The expression level of 15-PGDH is an independent risk factor of clinical prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To assess clinical effect and safety of botulinum toxin A injection in external urethral sphincter for male patient with neurogenic detrusor underactivity(DU). Methods: A prospective and self-controlled trail was conducted from August 2012 to October 2017. Male patients with nerve injury, dysuria more than 6 months, DU(bladder contractility index less than 100) were enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria included patients with acute urinary tract infection, bladder stone, benign prostate hyperplasia, urethral stricture and urethral diverticulum.100 IU BTX-A was dissolved in 4ml normal saline, and the solution of BTX- A was injected into 4 different points(3-o’clock, 6-o’clock, 9-o’clock, and 12-o’clock) in external urinary sphincter with each point of 1ml solution. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks after injection. The outcomes included post void residual (PVR), maximum flow rate (Q_max), maximum detrusor pressure during voiding phases (P_det.max), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), the case number of intermittent catheterization (IC)and the score of quality of life (QOL score). Adverse events were also recorded. Results: A total of 58 male patients (all from Guangdong provincial work injury rehabilitation hospital)with mean age 28.6 years suffered from cerebral palsy (n=2), cerebrovascular accident(n=19)and spinal cord injury(n=37) were included into the study. Compared to baseline data, significant difference were observed at week 12 in PVR (56.68 ml vs. 280.11 ml, P<0.001), P_det.max(23.95 cmH₂O vs. 30.01 cmH₂O, P=0.019), Q_max(6.74 ml/s vs. 3.28 ml/s, P=0.042), MUCP(48.25 cmH₂O vs. 79.34 cmH₂O, P<0.001), the case number of IC(40 vs. 58, P<0.001) and QOL score(3.63 vs.5.22, P<0.001) respectively. 5 cases developed perineal pain and 16 cases developed mild transient haematuria. These adverse events were disappeared by medical symptomatic treatment during 3-5 days. Conclusions BTX-A externalurethral sphincter injections help reduce urethra resistance and also improve the quality of life for patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity.

Objective To study the effect of comprehensive Chinese medicine therapy,including Chinese herbal medicine fumigation,massage,and quadriceps exercise,on adipokines of visfatin and chemerin content in joint fluid of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA),and to explore its possible therapeutic mechanism for KOA.Methods A total of 60 cases of KOA patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,30 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with comprehensive Chinese medicine therapy,and the control group was treated with Chinese medicine fumigation alone.After treatment for 2 weeks,the clinical efficacy of both groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC)were observed.Moreover,the contents of visfatin and chemerin in jointfluid were examined.Results (1) The total effective rate of the treatment group was 96.7％ and that of the control group was 83.3％,the difference being significant (P ＜ 0.01).(2) After treatment,WOMAC scores of both groups were obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).(3) The contents of visfatin and chemerint in joint synovial fluid of both groups were decreased (P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The comprehensive Chinese medicine therapy of Chinese herbal medicine fumigation,massage and quadriceps exercise is effective for the treatment of KOA,and can decrease the contents of visfatin and chemerin in joint fluid of KOA patients,which may be one of its therapeutic mechanisms.

Objective To explore the application value of single-door laminoplasty via Y type nano-bone plate in treating multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) and analyze the short-term efficacy.Methods From January 2013 to December 2016,79 cases of MCSM were treated with single-door laminoplasty via Y type nano-bone plate to evaluate the improvement of post-operative neurological function by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) evaluation system.We also measured cervical curvature of cervical X-ray and C5 sagittal diameter of the spinal canal before operation and 6 months after operation to understand the maintenance and enlargement of the spinal canal.The improvement degree of spinal cord compression was evaluated by preoperative and postoperative cervical MRI.Osseous healing on the open door side and the door shaft side was observed with the aid of three-dimensional spiral CT.Results Follow-up ranged from 6 to 36 months,with an average of (20.4±7.9)months.Preoperative JOA score was (8.6 ± 1.3) points and JOA score 6 months after operation was (14.3 ± 1.5)points (P ＜ 0.05).JOA improvement rate was (68.6 ± 15.8)％;postoperative follow-up X-ray and threedimensional spiral CT showed that the spinal canal had satisfying enlargement,the door shaft side all had osseous healing,the open door side osseous healing was not obvious,and there was no lamina collapse or reclosing.Sagittal diameter of theC spinal canal was (8.9±l.1)mm before operation and (15.1±l.1)mm 6 months after operation (P＜0.05).The spinal canal enlargement rate was (70.8±22.3)％,cervical curvature was (14.8± 7.0)°preoperatively and (15.1±6.7)°postoperatively with no significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusion EOLP via Y type nano-bone plate is safe and efficacious in treating MCSM.It not only provides a good immediate fixation,but also provides the possibility for the open door side lateral osseous fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between tongue body MRI measurements and the lingual region obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, OSAHS), and the relationship of two diagnosis methods in positioning obstructive level, in order to improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of obstructive level in OSAHS patients . METHOD: Fifty-nine patients with OSAHS definited by the AG200 sleep apnea monitoring and obstruction plane positioning system was included. They all underwent tongue MRI scan, after three-dimensional reconstruction, the tongue body length to diameter, relative thickness, basal diameter, wide around central about wide diameter and tongue body volume were measured. The lower blocking (mainly composed of lingual region) constituent ratio P established by AG200 was correlated with tongue parameters measured by MRI. At the same time, To analysis of differences of P in patients with different degree of OSAHS. RESULT: Among these patients with OSAHS in different degree, the coefficient correlation between tongue parameters(tongue length, relative thickness, basal diameter, wide middle diameter, tongue body volume) and lower blocking constitute ratio P werer LP = 0.051,rHP = 0.069, r1 = 0.215, r2 = 0.147, rVP = 0.259, respectively. lower obstruction of form than the differences had statistical significance. The measured tongue parameters and value P(the lower blocking constituent ratio) were negatively correlated, which demonstrated that exclusing of the larynx and hypopharynx airway obstruction, the lower airway obstruction detected by AG200 was related with tongue parameters measured by MRI, and was strongestly related with the tongue body volume. CONCLUSION The volume of tongue and AG had correlation in judgement of lower blocking. In OSAHS patients the lower blocking constituent ratio varies between the defferent severity groups of the disease, the combina tion of the two method can be used to predict the obstructive plane in OSAHS patients with upper airway obstruction, and provide the basis for the individual treatment of patients with OSAHS.
Airway Obstruction ; complications ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Tongue ; pathology

Objective To investigate protective effects and mechanisms of extract of PNS on retinal ganglion cells injury induced by continuous high intraocular pressure (IOP) in rats.Methods 80 healthy Sprague-Dawley ( SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups to establish rat model of high intraocular pressure with 4,8,12,16,20 weeks which there were cauterizing episcleral veins combined 5-Fu and only cauterizing episcleral veins.All the rats intraocular pressure was measured and recorded regularly.After 4,8,12,16,20 weeks,all rats were killed and the eyeballs were removed and to assay apoptosis of RGCs by TUNEL,to detect the activity of RGCs AgNOR staining and to discover the expression of caspase-9 by immunohistochemical detections.Results The IOP was almostly more than 36.55±0.27mmHg.The order of the number of TUNEL-positive cells in retinal ganglion cell layer,compared with the normal control group,there was a significant difference.Stained grains there was no significant difference between the combined treatment group and normal control group (P>0.05).The expression of caspase-9 protein in the saline group,treatment group and combined treatment group was obviously enhanced according to the normal control group.Conclusion The sustainable and stable rat model of high intraocular pressure could be established by cauterization of episcleral veins whih subconjunctival injection 5-Fu.PNS had significant protective effects in RCCs injury caused by the persistent high intraocular pressure.If controlling intraocular pressure with drugs which could lower the IOP,the protective effects of PNS on RGCs would be more prominent.PNS could inhibit the expression of Caspase-9 in the rat RGCs to protect RGCs.

Objective To investigate the potential application of human transforming growth factor-beta-1 (hTGF-β1) gene mediated by type 2 recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV2) vector inducing chondrogenic differentiation of canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. Methods Canine MSCs from bone marrow were isolated and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifngation and adherence screening methods. The morphology of MSCs was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and Giemsa stain. Flow eytometry was used to detect surface antigens of MSCs, The third generation of MSCs were transfected by rAAV2-hTGF-β1 with or without MOI of 1 ×105 v.g./cell or 5×105 v.g./cell. The expression of hTGF-β1 was detected by Western blot after 10 days, and TGF-β1 synthesis was determined by ELISA at 3, 6 and 9 day, respectively. After 2 weeks of culturing, mRNA expressions of type Ⅱ collagen and aggrecan were determined by RT-PCR and the collagen Ⅱ protein was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results The MSCs appeared to be morphologically spindle-shaped and showed active capability of proliferation both in primary and passage generations. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that MSCs were universally positive for CD29, CD44 and CD105, but negative for CD34 and CD45. TGF-β1 expression can be observed by Western blot after 10 days in two transfection groups, MOI of 5 × 105 group and MOI of 1× 105 group. With the extension of time, the contents of hTGF-β1 increased in the two groups detected by ELISA, while there was a significant difference between them two (P < 0.01). After 2 weeks of transfection of MSCs by rAAV2-hTGF-β1, the expression of collagen Ⅱ and Aggreacan mRNAs were positive. It also showed positive of collagen Ⅱ detected by immunocytochemistry. Conclusion Canine MSCs show chondrogenesis differentiation after induction by Type 2 rAAV mediated transfer of TGF-β1 gene. The process is a potential application for cartilage tissue engineering.

Objective To investigate the influence of tethered cord syndrome (TCS) on the up-per urinary tract and its etiology. Methods Forty patients with TCS diagnosed by spinal MRI were enrolled in this study. There were 21 males and 19 females with mean age of 23 years old. The course of disease ranged from 1 to 40 years. Urinalysis, mid-stream urine culture, serum creatinine(SCr), urinary system ultrasound, IVU, eystography and urodynamic study were carried out on all patients. Results Urinary tract infection was found in 17 patients and increased level of SCr was found in 6 pa-tients (251.64±98.5μmol/L). Of the 29 patients who underwent urinary system ultrasound examina-tion, 12 cases had hydronephroais and dilated upper ureter. Of the 30 patients who underwent IVU, 10(33.3%) had ureterectasia and hydronephrosis, 22 cases had bladder turriform or Christmas tree like deformity with diverticulum and trabeculum. Of the 22 patients accepted cystography, 17 cases had vesieoureteral reflux on 27 sides. Post-void residual (PVR) was evaluated in 35 patients and found increased in 31 cases. Cystometry had been done in 33 patients. The mean value of maximal detrusor pressure (Pdetmax) during filling phase was 41.2±20.9 cm H2O. The detrusor compliance was 22.35±18.8 ml/cm H2O. During voiding phase, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia(DSD)was observed in 16 patients, detrusor areflexia was observed in 16 patients and detrusor underactivity was observed in 13 patients. Resting urethral pressure profilemetry was measured in 16 patients. Maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) was 76.1±33.1 cm H2O. The upper urinary tract deterioration was de-fined as increased SCr, hydronephrosis or vesicoureteral reflux. There were 20 patients diagnosed as upper urinary tract deterioration. The compliance of the upper urinary tract deteriorating group and the no-deteriorating group was 9.4±7.8 vs 19.3±15.8 ml/cm H2O, Pdetmax was 43.1±21.2 vs 24.0±11.9 cm H2O, PVR 189.0±138.0 vs 47.8±36.8 ml, MUCP 86.2±32.4 vs 46.8 5±20.8 cm H2O, incidence of damaged detrusor 100.0% vs 69.2% and DSD 65.0% vs 23.1%, respectively. There were significant differences between the 2 groups(P<0.05). And when comparing the VUR group with no VUR group, the incidence of urinary tract infection was 94.1%(16/17) vs 20.0%(1/ 5) (P=0.003). And when comparing urinary tract infection group with no infection group, the inci-dence of upper urinary tract deterioration was 88.2% (15/17) vs 21.7%(5/23)(P=0.000). Condn-sion Low compliance bladder, high Pdetmax during filling phase, increased PVR, high MUCP, damage of detrusor contractive function and DSD are the risk factors for upper urinary tract deteriora-tion in the TCS patients.