Objective:To investigate the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) on liver synthesis and development of liver cirrhosis.Methods:This is a prospective case series study.The clinical data of liver cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who received LSD at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2014 to January 2016 were included. This study analyzed the diameter of the portal vein, the velocity of portal blood flow, the routine blood parameters, the liver function, the synthetic proteins of liver (antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), protein S, protein C), and the serum content of liver fibrotic markers(collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and least significance difference was used for post-hoc multiple comparison.Results:A total of 106 patients were included in the study, including 70 males and 36 females, aged (51.8±9.8) years(range: 28 to 75 years).Compared with the preoperative results, the diameter of portal vein and the velocity of portal vein decreased after surgery ( F=14.03, 12.15, respectively, both P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative results, the total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score and classification were improved ( F=17.96, 56.01, 66.63, 35.83, 33.49, and 27.50, respectively, all P<0.01), and the AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C,collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin and hyaluronidase levels were also improved ( F=47.87, 36.26, 18.02, 2.79, 14.58, 44.35, and 14.38, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the diameter of portal vein was reduced from the first week to the 24 th month after surgery ( t=5.45 to 9.39, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the velocity of portal vein blood from the first week after surgery to the 24 th month after surgery was decreased ( t=4.02 to 8.43, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, routine blood parameters (white blood count, hemoglobin, platelet count), liver function (total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score), liver synthetic protein (AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C) and liver fibrotic markers (collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase) were improved to varying degrees at the 24th month after surgery ( t=-20.46 to 11.93, all P<0.01). Conclusion:Preliminary findings show that LSD can reduce portal vein pressure, restore blood cell number, and improve liver synthesis function and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) on liver synthesis and development of liver cirrhosis.Methods:This is a prospective case series study.The clinical data of liver cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who received LSD at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2014 to January 2016 were included. This study analyzed the diameter of the portal vein, the velocity of portal blood flow, the routine blood parameters, the liver function, the synthetic proteins of liver (antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), protein S, protein C), and the serum content of liver fibrotic markers(collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and least significance difference was used for post-hoc multiple comparison.Results:A total of 106 patients were included in the study, including 70 males and 36 females, aged (51.8±9.8) years(range: 28 to 75 years).Compared with the preoperative results, the diameter of portal vein and the velocity of portal vein decreased after surgery ( F=14.03, 12.15, respectively, both P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative results, the total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score and classification were improved ( F=17.96, 56.01, 66.63, 35.83, 33.49, and 27.50, respectively, all P<0.01), and the AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C,collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin and hyaluronidase levels were also improved ( F=47.87, 36.26, 18.02, 2.79, 14.58, 44.35, and 14.38, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the diameter of portal vein was reduced from the first week to the 24 th month after surgery ( t=5.45 to 9.39, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the velocity of portal vein blood from the first week after surgery to the 24 th month after surgery was decreased ( t=4.02 to 8.43, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, routine blood parameters (white blood count, hemoglobin, platelet count), liver function (total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score), liver synthetic protein (AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C) and liver fibrotic markers (collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase) were improved to varying degrees at the 24th month after surgery ( t=-20.46 to 11.93, all P<0.01). Conclusion:Preliminary findings show that LSD can reduce portal vein pressure, restore blood cell number, and improve liver synthesis function and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

Morita therapy has been bom for more than 100 years.Inpatient Morita therapy is highly oper-able and easy to master.It can improve many refractory neuroses through four-stage treatment.But more neuroses are treated in outpatient clinics,and Morita therapy cannot be used in hospitalized patients.Therefore,the formula-tion of expert opinions on outpatient operations is particularly important.This paper is based on domestic and for-eign references,and after many discussions by domestic Morita therapy experts,and then drew up the first version of the expert opinions on operation of outpatient Morita therapy.Meanwhile the operation rule of Morita therapy in three stages of outpatient treatment was formulated:in the etiological analysis stage,under the theoretical guidance of Morita therapy,analyze the pathogenic factors,to improve treatment compliance and reduce resistance;during the operating stage,guide patients to engage in constructive and meaningful actions,realizing the achievement of letting nature take its course principle;in the cultivating character and enriching life stage,pay attention to positive infor-mation,expanding the scope and content of actions,improving the ability to adapt to complex life,and preventing recurrence caused by insufficient abilities.It will lay a foundation for the promotion of Morita therapy in domestic outpatient clinics,so that more patients with neurosis and other psychological diseases could receive characteristic Morita therapy treatment in outpatient clinics.

Objective:To examine the occurrence of complications in elderly patients who have undergone radical surgery for colorectal cancer.Additionally, this study aims to identify the various risk factors associated with these complications.Methods:This study included elderly patients with colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery at Beijing Hospital between January 2013 and December 2020.These patients were divided into two groups based on their age.In this study, we examined a total of 906 patients who underwent surgery, with 695 patients under the age of 80 and 211 patients aged 80 and above.We classified postoperative complications into two categories: medical and surgical complications.Our analysis compared comorbidities, clinicopathological factors, perioperative variables, and postoperative morbidity and mortality between the two age groups.We utilized both univariate and multivariate analyses to identify any potential risk factors for postoperative morbidity.Results:When comparing patients under 80 years old to those aged 80 or older, it was found that the latter group had a lower body mass index, worse ASA scores, and more comorbidities.Additionally, the proportion of elderly patients with right colon cancer, pT3-4, and pN+ disease was higher compared to those under 80 years old.Furthermore, the elderly patients aged 80 or older had a lower rate of laparoscopic surgery compared to those under 80 years old.The study found that elderly patients aged 80 years and older had significantly shorter operation times compared to those younger than 80 years[(191.0±70.6)min vs.(214.0±83.3)min, t=3.642, P<0.001]. However, the overall complication rate was higher in the elderly group(32.7%)than in the younger group(22.6%)( χ2=8.839, P=0.004). Upon further analysis, it was found that medical complications increased significantly(20.9% vs.7.5%, χ2=30.547, P<0.001), whereas the rate of surgical complications did not show any statistical difference(15.6% vs.16.4%, χ2=0.069, P=0.832). The mortality rate during the perioperative period was found to be significantly higher in elderly patients aged 80 years and above compared to those below 80 years(1.9% vs.0.3%, χ2=6.316, P=0.029). Further analysis revealed that age was an independent risk factor for medical complications( HR=2.822, 95% CI: 1.804-4.414, P<0.001). Laparoscopic surgery has been shown to significantly decrease surgical complications( HR=0.475, 95% CI: 0.317-0.711, P=0.001). However, if the operation time exceeds 200 minutes, there is a significant increase in surgical complications( HR=1.942, 95% CI: 1.278-2.888, P=0.002). Conclusions:The incidence of postoperative medical complications in very elderly patients with colorectal cancer who undergo radical surgery has risen, although the rate of surgical complications has remained steady.Radical surgery for elderly patients with colorectal cancer is both safe and feasible, but it is important to prioritize the prevention and management of medical complications.

Objective:To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on the differentiation of orbital fibroblasts (OF) in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and its regulation mechanism.Methods:Six patients (six eyes) diagnosed with TAO were collected in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from December 2019 to August 2020.Adipose connective tissue was collected during the orbital decompression surgery.OF was isolated and cultured using the tissue block method and vimentin was identified by immunofluorescence.Lipogenic differentiation of OF was induced and identified by oil red O staining.Complete culture medium containing 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L TNF-α was used to induce the dedifferentiation of orbital mature adipocytes.Primary culturing cells, 14-day differentiation cells and 20-day dedifferentiation cells were collected.The relative mRNA expression levels of peroxisomal proliferation-activated receptor (PPARγ), extracellular regulatory protein kinase1 (ERK1), ERK2 and fat-coated protein1 (perilipin1) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.The relative protein expression levels of PPARγ, P-ERK1/2 and perilipin1 were detected by Western blot.Results:Human TAO-derived OF were successfully cultured in vitro, spindle-shaped or polygonal, tightly arranged in a vortex pattern, and immunofluorescence staining for vimentin was positive.After OF adipogenic differentiation, lipid droplet structures could be seen in the cytoplasm of some cells, and the stained lipid droplet structures in the cytoplasm could be seen by oil red O staining, which confirmed that the cells obtained after differentiation were adipocytes.Dedifferentiation of adipocytes was induced by 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/L TNF-α.With the extension of induction time, the volume of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm and the number of cells containing lipid droplets decreased.Lipid droplets disappeared in the cytoplasm on the 20th day of dedifferentiation, and the cells became long spindle-shaped and tightly arranged, dedifferentiated into fibroblast-like cells.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that the relative expression levels of PPARγ, ERK1, ERK2 and perilipin1 mRNA in 14-day differentiation group were 4.26±0.09, 2.01±0.09, 3.23±0.10 and 8.69±0.33, respectively, which were significantly higher than 1.00±0.09, 1.05±0.19, 1.00±0.10 and 1.05±0.07 in primary group, and 1.06±0.03, 1.15±0.11 and 6.27±0.09 in 20-day dedifferentiation group (all at P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of PPARγ, ERK1/2 and perilipin1 proteins in 14-day differentiation group were 1.07±0.03, 1.00±0.03 and 1.13±0.02, respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.37±0.02, 0.29±0.02 and 0.00±0.00 in primary group, and 0.20±0.02, 0.38±0.06 and 0.00±0.00 in 20-day dedifferentiation group (all at P<0.001). Conclusions:TNF-α has a dedifferentiation effect on TAO orbital adipocytes.The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of ERK1/2-PPARγ-perilipin1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To collect data on urinary flow rate in the elderly female population across the country and to analyze the range of reference values.Methods:This study enrolled 333 subjects from July 2020 to June 2022.The study implementation process was divided into two steps.In the first step, subjects completed an electronic questionnaire, which included basic information about the subject, a short form for urinary incontinence, and a scoring form for the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.In the second step, the staff introduced the use of a mobile uroflowmetric device and distributed the instrument and materials.Uroflow rate data were automatically uploaded to a cloud database via the mobile phone.Subsequently, two or more physicians specializing in urinary control performed Uroflow rate-qualifying screenings and conducted statistical analyses.Results:A total of 333 subjects were enrolled in the study, and the researchers collected 1375 qualified urine flow rate records using a mobile urine flow rate instrument.The age of the subjects ranged from 60 to 84 years, with a mean age of 69 years.The reference ranges for urinary flow rate were found to be 24.8-26.2 s, with a mean urinary flow rate of 12.2-12.9 ml/s, a maximum urinary flow rate of 22.2-23.4 ml/s, and a time to peak of 8.5-9.7 s. The study observed a tendency for both maximal and mean urinary flow rates to decrease in older women as their age increased(Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.1, P<0.001). Conclusions:The uroflow rate of older women decreases with aging.Specifically, the average uroflow rate of women over 80 years old is lower than that of other age groups.This study aims to establish normal uroflow parameters for uroflowmetry in healthy older women in China.

Congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) is a group of genetic metabolic diseases involving multiple organs. A case of CDG caused by SLC35A2 gene mutation was diagnosed. The clinical characteristics included spasms, developmental retardation and multiple malformations. Video-electroencephalogram showed dysrhythmia. A de novo heterozygous missense mutation of SLC35A2 gene was detected by whole exome sequencing: c.844G>A (p.Gly282Arg). It was predicted to be likely pathogenic according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines which had not been reported in China.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic basis of two children patients with CHARGE syndrome. METHODS: The clinical features of the two patients were analyzed, and potential variants were detected by Trio whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) of the probands and their parents. RESULTS: Child 1 has manifested cerebellar vermis dysplasia, enlargement of cerebral ventricles, whereas child 2 manifested with infantile spasm and congenital hip dysplasia. Both children were found to harbor de novo heterozygous variants of the CHD7 gene, namely c.4015C>T (exon 17) and c.5050G>A (exon 22). Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the two variants were rated as pathogenic variants, and the related disease was CHARGE syndrome. Furthermore, child 2 was also found to harbor a novel heterozygous c.6161A>C (p.Gln2054Pro) missense variant of COL12A1 gene, which was rated as possibly pathogenic, and the associated disease was Bethlem myopathy type 2, which is partially matched with the patient' s clinical phenotype. CONCLUSION The special clinical phenotypes shown by the two children harboring novel CHD7 variants have further expanded the phenotypic spectrum of CHARGE syndrome.
CHARGE Syndrome/genetics* ; DNA Helicases/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Objective:To evaluate the intestinal function in rats with exertional heat stroke (EHS) and explore the protective role of Ruifuping pectin (RFP) against heat related intestinal mucosal injury.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy special pathogen free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normothermic control group, EHS model group, hyperthermic plus drinking water group (H 2O+EHS group) and hyperthermic plus pectin group (RFP+EHS group) with 30 rats in each group. The rats in the H 2O+EHS group and RFP+EHS group were given water 20 mL/kg or RFP 20 mL/kg orally for 5 days during adaptive training period. After 1 week, the temperature control range was adjusted to (37±1)℃ using the temperature control treadmill, and the rat model of EHS was reproduced by one-time high temperature exhaustive exercise. No rehydration intervention was given during the training adaptation period in the EHS model group. The rats in the normothermic control group were maintained to room temperature (25±2)℃ and humidity (55±5)% without other treatment. Behavior tests including withdraw response, righting, and muscle strength were performed immediately after onset of EHS. Blood of inferior vena cava was collected, and the serum inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10)] and activity of diamine oxidase (DAO) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The intestinal mucosa was collected, after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Chiu score was performed to assess EHS induced pathological changes under light microscope. Results:The rats in the EHS model group had behavioral, inflammatory and pathological changes, such as delayed withdraw response and righting, decreased forelimb pulling, increased inflammatory index, and obvious intestinal mucosal injury, which indicated that the reproduction of the EHS model was successful. There was no significant difference in above parameters between the H 2O+EHS group and the EHS model group except that the inflammatory index in the RFP+EHS group was improved. Compared with the EHS model group, the withdraw reflex to pain and righting after RFP pretreatment in the RFP+EHS group were significantly improved (righting score: 1.4±0.2 vs. 0.3±0.2, withdraw reflex to pain score: 1.0±0.1 vs. 0.2±0.1, both P < 0.05), the muscle strength was significantly increased (N: 13.0±0.5 vs. 8.2±0.6, P < 0.01). The levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the RFP+EHS group were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [TNF-α (ng/L): 67.5±9.2 vs. 194.3±13.7, IL-6 (ng/L): 360.0±54.1 vs. 981.2±84.4, IL-1β (ng/L): 33.7±9.0 vs. 88.7±6.1, all P < 0.01], while the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was higher than that in the EHS model group (ng/L: 208.7±10.5 vs. 103.7±7.0, P < 0.01). The degree of intestinal mucosal injury in the RFP+EHS group was less severe than that in the EHS model group, and the Chiu score and DAO were significantly lower than those in the EHS model group [Chiu score: 1.5±0.2 vs. 3.8±0.0, DAO (U/L): 83.7±6.7 vs. 128.7±10.5, both P < 0.05]. Conclusions:High temperature training can damage the intestinal barrier function, and induce endotoxemia and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in rats. Oral prophylactic RFP can protect the intestinal barrier function, alleviate SIRS, and promote the recovery of basic nerve reflex and muscle strength after the occurrence of EHS in rats.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of hearing loss in children with bacterial meningitis.Methods:This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in Beijing Children′s Hospital between 2010 and 2016 and older than 28 days and younger than 18 years at symptom onset were included in this study ( n=573). All clinical information including hearing assessment results during hospitalization were reviewed. All patients with hearing loss were followed up to repeat their hearing test and assess their hearing condition with parents′ evaluation of aural and (or) oral performance of children (PEACH). Patients were grouped according to their hearing assessment results, and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for hearing loss in patients with bacterial meningitis. Results:Five hundred and seventy-three patients were enrolled in this study, including 347 males and 226 females. The onset age ranged from 29 days to 15.8 years. Two hundred and forty-six patients had identified causative pathogens, among whom 92 cases (37.4%) were pneumococcal meningitis cases. Hearing loss was found in 160 cases (27.9%) during hospitalization, involving 240 ears. Permanent hearing loss was found in 20 cases (16.9%), involving 32 ears. In the patients with permanent hearing loss, 87.5% (28/32) of ears were identified as severe or profound hearing loss during hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that dystonia, the protein concentration level in cerebrospinal fluid>1 g/L, glucose concentration level lower than 1 mmol/L and subdural effusion were independent risk factors for hearing loss ( OR=2.426 (1.450-4.059), 1.865 (1.186-2.932), 1.544 (1.002-2.381) and 1.904 (1.291-2.809)). Conclusions:Hearing loss is a common sequela of bacterial meningitis in children. Most patients have transient hearing loss, but patients with severe or profound hearing impairment have a higher risk of developing permanent hearing loss.