Objective To construct c-Met CAR-T cells secreting PD-1 antibodies to reduce immune inhibitory effect of tumor cells and enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy against pancreatic cancer.Methods Kaplan-Meier Plotter,GEPIA,and Timer 2.0 bioinformatics databases were used to analyze c-Met expression in pancreatic cancer and its correlation with survival and immune infiltration status.In clinical samples of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer Aspc-1 cells,c-Met and PD-L1 expressions were detected using immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry.Using gene editing technology,PD-1 secretory antibodies and HIS tags were linked to second-generation c-Met CAR molecules to construct PD-1/c-Met CAR plasmids,which were then packaged into lentiviruses for infection of activated T cells.The positive rate and cell subset distribution of CAR-T cells were analyzed with flow cytometry,and secretory PD-1 antibodies in cell supernatants were detected using Western blotting.The target cell killing efficiency and proliferative activity of the modified CAR-T cells were evaluated after activation,and cytokine secretion was analyzed using ELISA.Results The expression of c-Met was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal tissues,and its expression level was negatively correlated with the patients'survival and positively correlated with immune cell infiltration.The clinical samples of pancreatic cancer tissues expressed significantly higher levels of c-Met and PD-L1 than the adjacent tissues,and 90.7%and 57.7%of Aspc-1 cells were positive for c-Met and PD-L1,respectively.The constructed PD-1/c-Met CAR-T cells were capable of secreting PD-1 antibodies and showed a significantly higher killing efficiency against tumor cells than c-Met CAR-T cells at an effector-to-target ratio of 20:1,with also a higher proliferative activity after target cell stimulation and higher levels of IL-2 and TNF-α secretin.Conclusion PD-1/c-Met CAR-T cells have higher killing efficiency against pancreatic cancer cells with also higher proliferative activity than c-Met CAR-T cells.

Objective To construct c-Met CAR-T cells secreting PD-1 antibodies to reduce immune inhibitory effect of tumor cells and enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy against pancreatic cancer.Methods Kaplan-Meier Plotter,GEPIA,and Timer 2.0 bioinformatics databases were used to analyze c-Met expression in pancreatic cancer and its correlation with survival and immune infiltration status.In clinical samples of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer Aspc-1 cells,c-Met and PD-L1 expressions were detected using immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry.Using gene editing technology,PD-1 secretory antibodies and HIS tags were linked to second-generation c-Met CAR molecules to construct PD-1/c-Met CAR plasmids,which were then packaged into lentiviruses for infection of activated T cells.The positive rate and cell subset distribution of CAR-T cells were analyzed with flow cytometry,and secretory PD-1 antibodies in cell supernatants were detected using Western blotting.The target cell killing efficiency and proliferative activity of the modified CAR-T cells were evaluated after activation,and cytokine secretion was analyzed using ELISA.Results The expression of c-Met was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal tissues,and its expression level was negatively correlated with the patients'survival and positively correlated with immune cell infiltration.The clinical samples of pancreatic cancer tissues expressed significantly higher levels of c-Met and PD-L1 than the adjacent tissues,and 90.7%and 57.7%of Aspc-1 cells were positive for c-Met and PD-L1,respectively.The constructed PD-1/c-Met CAR-T cells were capable of secreting PD-1 antibodies and showed a significantly higher killing efficiency against tumor cells than c-Met CAR-T cells at an effector-to-target ratio of 20:1,with also a higher proliferative activity after target cell stimulation and higher levels of IL-2 and TNF-α secretin.Conclusion PD-1/c-Met CAR-T cells have higher killing efficiency against pancreatic cancer cells with also higher proliferative activity than c-Met CAR-T cells.

Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment effect and prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is an ambispective cohort study. From August 2005 to December 2022,data of 510 patients who diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively collected. In the cohort,there were 324 males and 186 females,with an age of ( M (IQR)) 63(13)years (range:25 to 85 years). The liver function at admission was Child-Pugh A (343 cases,67.3%) and Child-Pugh B (167 cases,32.7%). Three hundred and seventy-two(72.9%) patients had jaundice symptoms and the median total bilirubin was 126.3(197.6) μmol/L(range: 5.4 to 722.8 μmol/L) at admission. Two hundred and fourty-seven cases (48.4%) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage before operation. The median bilirubin level in the drainage group decreased from 186.4 μmol/L to 85.5 μmol/L before operation. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors for R0 resection,and Cox regression was used to construct multivariate prediction models for overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS). Results:Among 510 patients who underwent surgical resection,Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients accounted for 71.8%,among which 86.1% (315/366) underwent hemi-hepatectomy,while 81.9% (118/144) underwent extrahepatic biliary duct resection alone in Bismuch-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients. The median OS time was 22.8 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 72.2%,35.6%,24.8% and 11.0%,respectively. The median DFS time was 15.2 months,and the DFS rates was 66.0%,32.4%,20.9% and 11.0%,respectively. The R0 resection rate was 64.5% (329/510), and the OS rates of patients with R0 resection at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 82.5%, 48.6%, 34.4%, 15.2%,respectively. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complications was 26.1%(133/510) and the 30-day mortality was 4.3% (22/510). Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅲ ( P=0.009), hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection ( P=0.001),T1 and T2 patients without vascular invasion (T2 vs. T1: OR=1.43 (0.61-3.35), P=0.413;T3 vs. T1: OR=2.57 (1.03-6.41), P=0.010;T4 vs. T1, OR=3.77 (1.37-10.38), P<0.01) were more likely to obtain R0 resection. Preoperative bilirubin,Child-Pugh grade,tumor size,surgical margin,T stage,N stage,nerve infiltration and Edmondson grade were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients without distant metastasis. Conclusions:Radical surgical resection is necessary to prolong the long-term survival of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. Hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection,regional lymph node dissection and combined vascular resection if necessary,can improve R0 resection rate.

Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment effect and prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This is an ambispective cohort study. From August 2005 to December 2022,data of 510 patients who diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively collected. In the cohort,there were 324 males and 186 females,with an age of ( M (IQR)) 63(13)years (range:25 to 85 years). The liver function at admission was Child-Pugh A (343 cases,67.3%) and Child-Pugh B (167 cases,32.7%). Three hundred and seventy-two(72.9%) patients had jaundice symptoms and the median total bilirubin was 126.3(197.6) μmol/L(range: 5.4 to 722.8 μmol/L) at admission. Two hundred and fourty-seven cases (48.4%) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage before operation. The median bilirubin level in the drainage group decreased from 186.4 μmol/L to 85.5 μmol/L before operation. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors for R0 resection,and Cox regression was used to construct multivariate prediction models for overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS). Results:Among 510 patients who underwent surgical resection,Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients accounted for 71.8%,among which 86.1% (315/366) underwent hemi-hepatectomy,while 81.9% (118/144) underwent extrahepatic biliary duct resection alone in Bismuch-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients. The median OS time was 22.8 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 72.2%,35.6%,24.8% and 11.0%,respectively. The median DFS time was 15.2 months,and the DFS rates was 66.0%,32.4%,20.9% and 11.0%,respectively. The R0 resection rate was 64.5% (329/510), and the OS rates of patients with R0 resection at 1-,3-,5-and 10-year were 82.5%, 48.6%, 34.4%, 15.2%,respectively. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complications was 26.1%(133/510) and the 30-day mortality was 4.3% (22/510). Multivariate Logistic regression indicated that Bismuth-Corlett type Ⅰ-Ⅲ ( P=0.009), hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection ( P=0.001),T1 and T2 patients without vascular invasion (T2 vs. T1: OR=1.43 (0.61-3.35), P=0.413;T3 vs. T1: OR=2.57 (1.03-6.41), P=0.010;T4 vs. T1, OR=3.77 (1.37-10.38), P<0.01) were more likely to obtain R0 resection. Preoperative bilirubin,Child-Pugh grade,tumor size,surgical margin,T stage,N stage,nerve infiltration and Edmondson grade were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients without distant metastasis. Conclusions:Radical surgical resection is necessary to prolong the long-term survival of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. Hemi-hepatectomy and extended resection,regional lymph node dissection and combined vascular resection if necessary,can improve R0 resection rate.

Objective:To evaluate the risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with spinal injury.Methods:Literature on risk factors for pulmonary embolism after spinal injury was searched on CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP Chinese Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Up to Date databases from inception through November 2023. A Meta-analysis was performed with the software of RevMan 5.4 after two researchers screened the literature independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data and evaluated their quality. Correlations of gender, age, surgical duration, intervertebral disc fusion, body mass index, comorbidity, medicine prophylaxis, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) history, and length of hospital stay with the incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with spinal injury were evaluated.Results:A total of 10 studies were enrolled, including 2 prospective cohort studies and 8 cross-sectional studies. The total sample size was 401 698 patients, with 525 in the pulmonary embolism group and 401 173 in the non-pulmonary embolism group. The Meta analysis showed that gender ( OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.20, 1.97), age ( OR=1.58, 95% CI 1.19, 2.10), surgical duration ( OR=2.56, 95% CI 1.84, 3.56), DVT history ( OR=15.84, 95% CI 1.88, 133.25) and length of hospital stay ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.07, 1.09) were statistically significantly correlated with the incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with spinal injury ( P<0.01), while intervertebral fusion, body mass index, comorbidity, and medicine prophylaxis were not correlated with the incidence of pulmonary embolism ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Gender, age, surgical duration, DVT history and length of hospital stay are risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with spinal injury.

Objective:To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of sensory neuron-derived exosomes (nExo) in mediating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).Methods:A rat IDD model was constructed, with nExo injected into the intervertebral disc. After 4 weeks, the degenerative grades of operated discs were evaluated using histological staining, while the senescent phenotype of nucleus pulposus stem cells (NPSC) in the tissue was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. For in vitro experiments, 24 hours after the treatment of nExo to NPSC, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, or senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining was applied to evaluate the senescent phenotype of NPSC. Transcriptomics analysis was applied to identify the key molecules that mediate nExo-induced cells senescence. After 4 weeks of injecting nExo and TXN into the rat tail disc degeneration model.Results:nExo increased the degenerative grades of IDD and increased the proportion of TEK +p16 + and TEK +p21 + cells (from 36.32% ±4.04%, 33.69% ±4.56% in IDD group to 56.41% ±5.26%, 50.14% ±8.49% in IDD+nExo group, respectively; t=7.420, P<0.001; t=4.184, P<0.0019, respectively) in the disc tissue. Besides, nExo promoted the expression of p16 and p21 in NPSC and increased the percentage of cells with positive senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining (from 7.32%±1.73% to 58.22%±11.38%, t=7.658, P=0.002), while the percentage of G2/M cells was downregulated (from 18.10%±1.32% to 1.60%±0.67%, t=19.290, P<0.001). Transcriptomic analysis showed that the differential genes of CTRL vs. nExo were closely related to cell senescence, and TXN was screened by intersecting the differential gene set with the cellular senescence gene sets from the published database. Furthermore, we verified that nExo decreased the content of TXN in NPSC, while exogenous TXN downregulated the expression of p16 and p21 in NPSC, reduced the positive cell rate of senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining (from 58.84%±3.99% to 21.68%±8.16%, t=7.048, P=0.021), increased the percentage of G2/M cells (from 1.21%±0.34% to 15.26%±2.60%, t=9.259, P=0.001). TXN significantly reduced the grade of disc tissue degeneration (histological score: 14.33±0.82 in the nExo group; 8.17±1.17 in the nExo+TXN group, t=10.590, P<0.001), significantly increased the content of extracellular matrix (from 10.94±4.35 μg/mg to 50.55±12.16 μg/mg, t=7.512, P<0.001), and reduced the proportion of TEK +p16 + and TEK +p21 + double-positive cells (from 54.92%±4.21% and 60.31%±9.02% to 27.93%±3.26% and 33.75%±8.07%, respectively; t=12.430, P<0.001; t=5.375, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion:nExo promotes cell senescence and IDD by downregulating TXN in NPSC.

Objective To investigate the intervention effects of Yangqing Chenfei Fang (YCF), Baojin Chenfei Fang (BCF), and Jinshui Chenfei Fang (JCF) at different pathological stages of silicosis in a rat model. Methods A total of 216 specific pathogen free rats were randomly divided into control group, silicosis group, tetrandrine group, YCF group, BCF group and JCF group, with 35-36 rats in each group (11-12 rats at each time point). The rats in control group were treated with intragastric administration of pure water [administration volume at 2.5 mL/(kg·time)], while the rats of other five groups were treated with silica suspension at 250 mg/kg body weight to induce a silicosis model using the one-time non-exposed tracheal method. Intragastric administration of the corresponding drugs was performed at three time points at days 1-14 (early stage of silicosis), days 15-28 (middle stage of silicosis), and days 29-42 (late stage of silicosis) after modeling. Pulmonary function enhanced pause (Penh), forced vital capacity (FVC), and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) of rats in the six groups was assessed on days 15, 29, and 43 after modeling. Histopathological changes in lung tissues were observed, and relative expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, hydroxyproline, collagenⅠ(COL-Ⅰ), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected in lung tissues. Results i) Pulmonary function index. The index of Penh in three stages of silicosis of rats in YCF group, BCF group and JCF group was lower than that in the silicosis group at the same stage (all P<0.05), and the index of Penh was higher than that in the tetrandrine group at the same stage (all P<0.05). The index of FVC of rats in YCF group, BCF group and JCF group at the middle stage was higher than that in the silicosis group at the same stage (all P<0.05), as well as the index of Cdyn was higher than that in the tetrandrine group at the same stage (all P<0.05). ii) Histopathology of lung tissue. Rats of the silicosis group exhibited alveolitis, fibro stripe, and collagen deposition in lung tissues in the early stage compared with rat of the control group, with fibrosis progressively worsening over time and inflammation persisting throughout the disease course. Pathological changes of lung tissues were alleviated to varying degrees in the tetrandrine groups, YCF group, BCF group and JCF group compared with that of the silicosis group. Compared with the same stage of silicosis group, the Ashcroft scores of lung tissues in the YCF group and BCF group were lower in the middle and late stages (all P<0.05). The Ashcroft score of lung tissues in the BCF group in the middle and late stages was lower than that in tetrandrine group at the same stage (all P<0.05), while the Ashcroft score in the middle stages was lower than that in YCF group at the same stage (P<0.05). The Ashcroft score of lung tissue in the JCF group was lower than that in the silicosis group, tetrandrine group and YCF group at all three stages (all P<0.05), and was lower than that in BCF group at the early and late stage of silicosis (all P<0.05). iii) Inflammatory factors. IL-6 level in the lung tissues in the YCF group, BCF group and JCF group decreased compared with that in the silicosis group at the same stage (all P<0.05), while IL-1β and TNF-α levels decreased at the early and middle stages (all P<0.05), hydroxyproline level decreased at all three stages (all P<0.05). iv) Collagen. The relatively expression of COL-Ⅰ in the lung tissues in the YCF group decreased at the late stage of silicosis compared with that in the silicosis group at the same stage (all P<0.05), while the relatively expression of α-SMA decreased at the middle and late stages (all P<0.05). Compared with the same stage of silicosis group, the relative expression of COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA of the lung tissues reduced in the BCF group and JCF group at all stages (all P<0.05). The relative expression of COL-Ⅰ of the lung tissues reduced in the BCF group at the late stage compared with that in the YCF group in the same stage (all P<0.05), while the relative expression of α-SMA decreased at the early and middle stages (all P<0.05). The relative expression of COL-Ⅰ of the lung tissues reduced in the JCF group at late stage of silicosis (all P<0.05), while the relative expression of α-SMA decreased at all three stages (all P<0.05), compared with the same stage of YCF group. Conclusion All three formulations of Chinese herbs are effective in improving lung function and alleviating the progress of lung inflammation and fibrosis. YCF is the most effective in suppressing inflammation in the early stage of silicosis. BCF excels in delaying fibrosis in the early and middle stages. JCF is the most effective in improving lung function and delaying fibrosis progression in the late stage.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of monkeypox patients.Methods:The clinical data and laboratory findings of 4 patients with monkeypox patients diagnosed at Yiwu Central Hospital in July 2023 were analyzed. Herpes fluid and skin tissue samples were collected, the viruses were isolation and cultured in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and identified with whole gene sequencing.Results:All four patients were male, aged 24-35 years. All patients had male-to-male behavior within 21 days before onset of the disease. Among them, one patient has AIDS and one patient has syphilis. Four patients presented with perineal skin lesions with itching, and 3 patients were found to have enlarged lymph nodes upon admission. Laboratory testing: lymphocyte abnormality (4.57×10 9/L) in 1 case; increased procalcitonin (0.25 ng/mL) in 1 case; elevated IL-10 levels ( 7.11 ng/L and 9.42 ng/L) in 2 cases; increased IL-6 (66 ng/L) and IL-4 (3.24 ng/L) in 1 case, respectively. One case had abnormal myocardial zymogram with a elevated lactate dehydrogenase level of 313 U/L. The monkeypox virus was isolated from lesion tissue and herpes fluid, and the whole gene sequencing identified it as the B. 1.3 subtype of the IIb evolutionary branch, exhibiting typical pathological effects on Vero cells. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of the 4 monkeypox patients confirmed in Zhejiang province are mild, patients had a definitive history of male-to-male sexual behavior and the virus strains belong to the B. 1.3 lineage of the IIb evolutionary branch.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and related risk factors of multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infection after liver transplantation, so as to guide clinical identification of high-risk patients and reduce the occurrence of MDRO infection.Methods:Of 187 patients undergoing liver transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February 2019 to September 2020 were enrolled, including 150 males and 37 females, aged (50.6±9.6) years. Data related to MDRO infection were collected, and independent risk factors were identified using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis.Results:Among the 187 patients, MDRO infection occurred in 39, and 9 patient deaths were directly related to MDRO infection. Lung is the most common infection site, accounting for 82.1% (32/39) of MDRO infection. The most common pathogenic bacteria were Acinetobacter baumannii and Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, accounting for 46.8%(36/77) and 41.7%(32/77) of MDRO infection, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative mechanical ventilation ≥ 48 h ( OR=3.430, 95% CI: 1.124-10.467, P=0.030), intensive care unit (ICU) stay ≥7 d ( OR=9.013, 95% CI: 3.054-26.594, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of postoperative MDRO infection. Conclusions:Early removal of endotracheal intubation and discharge from ICU are important to reduce the risk of MDRO infection after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Safe and effective anticoagulation is essential for hemodialysis patients who are at high risk of bleeding. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two-stage regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) combined with sequential anticoagulation and standard calcium-containing dialysate in intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) treatment. METHODS: Patients at high risk of bleeding who underwent IHD from September 2019 to May 2021 were prospectively enrolled in 13 blood purification centers of nephrology departments, and were randomly divided into RCA group and saline flushing group. In the RCA group, 0.04 g/mL sodium citrate was infused from the start of the dialysis line during blood draining and at the venous expansion chamber. The sodium citrate was stopped after 3 h of dialysis, which was changed to sequential dialysis without anticoagulant. The hazard ratios for coagulation were according to baseline. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients and 208 sessions were enrolled, including RCA group (80 patients, 110 sessions) and saline flushing group (79 patients, 98 sessions). The incidence of severe coagulation events of extracorporeal circulation in the RCA group was significantly lower than that in the saline flushing group (3.64% vs. 20.41%, P<0.001). The survival time of the filter pipeline in the RCA group was significantly longer than that in the saline flushing group ((238.34±9.33) min vs. (221.73±34.10) min, P<0.001). The urea clearance index (Kt/V) in the RCA group was similar to that in the saline flushing group with no statistically significant difference (1.12±0.34 vs. 1.08±0.34, P=0.41). CONCLUSIONS Compared with saline flushing, the two-stage RCA combined with a sequential anticoagulation strategy significantly reduced extracorporeal circulation clotting events and prolonged the dialysis time without serious adverse events.
Humans ; Citric Acid/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium Citrate ; Hemorrhage/chemically induced* ; Citrates/adverse effects* ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects* ; Renal Dialysis/adverse effects*