Objective To evaluate the predictive significance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters in combination with serum levels of chemokine ligand 9(CXCL9)and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3(IGFBP-3)for the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following interventional therapy.Methods A total of 212 patients with liver cancer who received interventional therapy at the hospital between June 2022 and Novem-ber 2023 were selected and categorized into Group A(61 cases)and Group B(151 cases)based on whether tumor recurrence occurred within one year following the intervention.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was con-ducted to identify potential influencing factors associated with post-treatment recurrence.The predictive perfor-mance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters combined with serum biomarkers was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results The levels of several factors including a tumor with a maximum diameter exceeding 3 cm,presence of microvascular invasion,high peak intensity(PI),short time to peak(TTP),short arrival time(AT),elevated serum CXCL9,and decreased serum IGFBP-3 were identified as indepen-dent risk factors for recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following interventional therapy(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for the combination of PI,TTP,AT,along with serum levels of CXCL9 and IGFBP-3,in predicting recurrence after interventional therapy was significantly higher than that of individual fac-tors alone(P<0.05).Conclusions The risk of recurrence in patients undergoing interventional therapy for liver cancer is substantial,and it is influenced by a range of independent risk factors.Combining contrast-enhanced ul-trasound parameters with serum levels of CXCL9 and IGFBP-3 may enhance the predictive accuracy for tumor re-currence in these patients.

Objective To evaluate the predictive significance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters in combination with serum levels of chemokine ligand 9(CXCL9)and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3(IGFBP-3)for the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma following interventional therapy.Methods A total of 212 patients with liver cancer who received interventional therapy at the hospital between June 2022 and Novem-ber 2023 were selected and categorized into Group A(61 cases)and Group B(151 cases)based on whether tumor recurrence occurred within one year following the intervention.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was con-ducted to identify potential influencing factors associated with post-treatment recurrence.The predictive perfor-mance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters combined with serum biomarkers was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results The levels of several factors including a tumor with a maximum diameter exceeding 3 cm,presence of microvascular invasion,high peak intensity(PI),short time to peak(TTP),short arrival time(AT),elevated serum CXCL9,and decreased serum IGFBP-3 were identified as indepen-dent risk factors for recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following interventional therapy(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for the combination of PI,TTP,AT,along with serum levels of CXCL9 and IGFBP-3,in predicting recurrence after interventional therapy was significantly higher than that of individual fac-tors alone(P<0.05).Conclusions The risk of recurrence in patients undergoing interventional therapy for liver cancer is substantial,and it is influenced by a range of independent risk factors.Combining contrast-enhanced ul-trasound parameters with serum levels of CXCL9 and IGFBP-3 may enhance the predictive accuracy for tumor re-currence in these patients.

Objective: To investigate the morphology and immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of pseudostratified ependymal tubules in ovarian mature teratoma (MT). Methods: Five cases of ovarian MT with pseudostratified ependymal tubules were collected from Shenzhen Hospital(Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from March 2019 to March 2022. In addition, 15 cases of ovarian MT with monolayer ependymal epithelium from Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese medicine and seven cases of immature teratoma (IMT) from Hainan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2019 to March 2022 were collected as control. The morphologic characteristics and immunophenotypes of pseudostratified ependymal tubules, monolayer ependymal epithelium, and primitive neural epithelial tubules were observed and compared by H&E stain and IHC expression pattern of genes related to the differentiation status of neuroepithelium, namely SALL4, Glypican3, nestin, SOX2, Foxj1, and Ki-67. Results: Mean age of the five patients of ovarian MT with pseudostratified ependymal tubules was 26 years (range from 19 to 31 years). Two tumors were located in the left ovary and three in the right. All five cases were excised, and clinical follow-up was available (mean follow-up 1.5 years; range 0.5 to 3 years). No recurrence was noted in any cases. The pseudostratified ependymal tubules of ovarian MT, which were lined with columnar or oval epithelia up to 4-6 layers, were morphologically similar to the primitive neuroepithelial tubules of IMT and different from monolayer ependymal epithelium of ovarian MT. By immunohistochemistry, SALL4 and Glypican3 were negative, Foxj1 was positive and Ki-67 index was lower in the pseudostratified ependymal tubules and the monolayer ependymal epithelium of ovarian MT. However, the primitive neuroepithelial tubules of IMT showed variably expression of SALL4 and Glypican3, were negative for Foxj1 and high Ki-67 index. All the above three groups expressed nestin and SOX2. Conclusions: The pseudostratified ependymal tubules of ovarian MT, which have morphological similarities to the primitive neuroepithelial tubules of IMT, are similar to the monolayer ependymal epithelia of the MT in immunophenotype. IHC assessment of Foxj1 and Ki-67 is helpful to differentiate the pseudostratified ependymal tubules of ovarian MT from the primitive neuroepithelial tubules of IMT.
Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Nestin ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; Teratoma/pathology*

In the outbreak of COVID-19,triage procedures based on epidemiology were implemented in a local hospital in Changsha to control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and avoid healthcare-associated infection.This re-trospective study analyzed the data collected during the triage period and found that COVID-19 patients were en-riched 7 folds into the Section A designated for patients with obvious epidemiological history.On the other side,nearly triple amounts of visits were received at the Section B for patients without obvious epidemiological history.8 COVID-19 cases were spotted out of 247 suspected patients.More than 50％of the suspected patients were submi-tted to multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis for SARS-CoV-2 infection.Of the 239 patients who were diagnosed as negative of the virus infection,188 were successfully revisited and none was reported as COVID-19 case.Of the 8 COVID-19 patients,3 were confirmed only after multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis.Besides comorbidities,delayed sharing of epidemiological history added complexity to the diagnosis in practice.The triaging experience and strategy will be helpful for the control of infectious diseases in the future.

ObjectiveTo explore the practical value of environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound in the preparation of pathological tissue sections. MethodsFrom February 2013 to December 2022， 2 518 pathological specimens submitted by Foshan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the study objects. Two samples of the same specimen were randomly divided into two groups： the environment-friendly fast group， in which the pathological tissue sections were made by using the environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound； and the traditional group， in which formaldehyde， ethanol and xylene were used to make slices in the conventional way. The differences of hematoxylin （HE） staining effect， immunohistochemistry （IHC） staining effect and MDM2 gene detection result of atypical lipomatous tumor/highly differentiated liposarcoma （ALT/WDL） tissue sections between the two groups were compared. Results① The wax of the two groups' pathological tissues was dehydrated well and the tissue hardness was moderate. After HE staining， the sections of the two groups were intact， without cracks and tremor marks， and the contrast between nucleus and cytoplasm was appropriate， with good transparency， uniform staining， and no tissue loss. The excellent rate and score of HE staining in the environmental fast group were higher than those in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （χ² = 3.125，P₁ = 0.070；t = 0.965，P₂ = 0.334）. ②After IHC staining of the two groups of sections， the positive location of the cells was accurate， the staining was specific and uniform， the staining intensity was moderate， the staining sensitivity was good， and there was no tissue loss. The excellent rate of IHC staining and the positive rate of IHC staining in the environmental fast group were lower than those in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （χ₁² = 2.769，P₁ = 0.092；χ₂² = 0.800，P₂ = 0.375）. ③The background and outline of the two groups of WDL tissue sections were clear， the staining was uniform， the cells were clear and visible， the nuclear boundary was clear， the hybridization signal was clear and bright under the background fluorescence， and there was no miscellaneous signal. The two groups of sections were hybridized successfully， and MDM2 showed positive amplification. The number of cells successfully hybridized in the environment-friendly fast group was lower than that in the traditional group， but the difference was not statistically significant （t = 1.414，P = 0.230）. ConclusionsThe tissue treatment method of using environment-friendly sample release agent combined with ultrasound can ensure the detection effect of HE staining， IHC staining and MDM2 gene detection of pathological tissue sections， and is more efficient and environment-friendly， suitable for promotion and use in hospitals at all levels.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the 2022 multiple-country monkeypox outbreak and assess its importation risk into China. METHODS: Data was from United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We described the global epidemic and calculated concentration index to measure economic-related inequality. Importation risk into China was evaluated and ranked by using risk matrix method and Borda count method, respectively. RESULTS: As of July 29, 2022, of 79 countries or territories, 39 (49.37%, 39/79), 17 (21.52%, 17/79), 6 (7.59%, 6/79), 12 (15.19%, 12/79), and 5 (6.33%, 5/79) country or territories identified cases < 10, 10-, 51-, 101-, and > 1,000. There were economic-related health disparities exist in the distribution of cases (the concentration index = 0.42, P = 0.027), and the inequality disadvantageous to the rich (pro-poor). There were 12 (15.38%, 12/78), 15 (19.23%, 15/78), 6 (7.69%, 6/78), and 45 (57.69%, 45/78) countries or territories with extremely high, high, moderate, and low importation risk. United States and France ranked first with the highest Borda points of 156, and counts of zero. CONCLUSION Of 78 countries or territories, the key attention need be paid to the United States and France, relatively. As the epidemic progresses, preparing prevention and control measures to further reduce importation risk was crucial.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; France ; Monkeypox/prevention & control* ; Risk Assessment

Aim To examine the therapeutic effects of DHZCP on carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced chemical hepatic fibrosis model in rats and the mechanism of acid-sensitive ion channels 1a(ASIC1a)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-related mechanisms.Methods The rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 vegetable oil mixture to establish hepatic fibrosis model,and randomly divided into six groups:control group,hepatic fibrosis model group,DHZCP low dose group,DHZCP medium dose group,DHZCP high dose group and colchicine(Col)positive control group.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hepatic structures in each group,Masson staining to view the production of collagen fibers in each group,and immunohistochemistry,Western blot,q-PCR to investigate the expression level of ASIC1a,CaMKKβ,VEGF,α-SMA,Collagen-I proteins.Results In model group,serum ALT and AST levels were obviously up-regulated,liver tissue structure was severely damaged,and ASIC1a,CaMKKβ,VEGF,α-SMA,Collagen-I gene and protein expression levels were significantly elevated.Compared with model group,each treatment group of DHZCP could markedly alleviate the pathological changes of liver fibrosis caused by CCl4,significantly reduce the serum ALT and AST levels,and dose-dependently down-regulate the gene and protein expression levels of ASIC1a,CaMKKβ,VEGF,α-SMA,Collagen-I,etc.Conclusions DHZCP ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats,and its mechanism of action may be associated with the regulation of ASIC1a/VEGF.

Objective: To determine the effects of ginsenoside rg3 on the body weight of C57BL/6J obese mice and to investigate its underlying weight loss mechanisms with a focus on white fat browning-related factors. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 successive weeks to construct the obese model. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a standard chow diet to construct normal control group. After 8 weeks of intervention with ginsenoside rg3, the food intake, body weight, body fat mass, blood sugar, and lipid profiles of the mice in each group were detected. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histological morphology of the adipose tissues. Real-time poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB) were applied to detect the gene and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gama (PPARγ), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator -1alpha (PGC-1α), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1).Results: Compared to normal control group mice, the body weight, food intake, body fat composition, and blood lipid levels of model group mice increased significantly. After 8 weeks of intervention with ginsenoside rg3, body weight, body fat composition, food intake, and blood lipid profiles decreased. HE staining showed that ginsenoside rg3 can improve white adipocyte hypertrophy to a certain extent. RT-PCR and WB demonstrated that ginsenoside rg3 can increase the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ, PGC-1α, PRDM16, and UCP-1 in the adipose tissues of obese mice. Conclusion: The weight reduction effect of ginsenoside rg3 may be related to the promotion of white fat browning.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of left ventricular guidewire pacing during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Thirteen patients, who underwent TAVR with left ventricular guidewire pacing from October 2019 to December 2019 in Fuwai Hospital, were included. Clinical data and operational procedure data of the patients were collected. Changes in blood pressure and electrocardiogram were observed during operations. Ascending aorta angiography was performed to evaluate the regurgitation of aortic valve after valve implantion. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and at 3-months after discharge was recorded. Results: There were 7 male and 6 female patients in this cohort,and age was (73.8±8.3) years old. Among the 13 patients, 9 were tricuspid aortic valves, 3 were bicuspid aortic valves, and 1 was degenerated bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve. TAVR were successfully performed in all of the 13 cases using pacing through the left ventricular guidewire. During balloon dilation, the blood pressure decreased to below 60 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) after 180 beats/min pacing, and the valve release process was smooth and the position was stable. The results of aortography showed that there was no regurgitation in 7 cases, mild regurgitation in 5 cases and moderate regurgitation in 1 case. Three patients required temporary pacing during the procedure due to complete heart block, among whom 1 patient was implanted with permanent pacemaker during hospitalization, and the other 2 patients recovered within 24 hours after operation. In another case, there was no significant change of electrocardiogram during the operation, and complete heart block occurred 10 days after the operation, and treated with permanent pacemaker. The other 10 patients began to carry out bedside activities and rehabilitation training 24 hours after operation. There was no death, myocardial infarction, stroke and other major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and at 3-month follow-up after discharge. Conclusion: Left ventricular guidewire pacing is a safe and effective strategy for TAVR.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells. METHODS: Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro- and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting. RESULTS: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of berberine was 5.7 μmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction (P<0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9- and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine (5 μmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3- and 8.7-fold after 10 μmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade. CONCLUSION High concentration (5 and 10 μmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway.