Objective To clone and express the heat shock cognate protein 20 (SjHsc20) of Schistosoma japonicum, and to preliminarily investigate its biological characteristics. Methods The target fragment of the SjHsc20 gene was amplified using PCR assay and cloned into the pET-28a(+) expression plasmid to generate the recombinant expression vector pET-28a(+)-SjH-sc20, which was then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells. The recombinant SjHsc20 (rSjHsc20) protein was induced with isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified, and the expression of the rSjHsc20 protein was checked with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The immunogenicity of the rSjHsc20 protein was detected using Western blotting, and the transcriptional levels of SjHsc20 were quantified in S. japonicum worms at different developmental stages and in male and female adult worms using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Thirty female BALB/c mice at ages 6 to 8 weeks were divided into three groups, including the rSjHsc20 immunization group, the PBS control group, and the ISA 206 adjuvant group, of 10 mice in each group. Mice in the rSjHsc20 immunization group were subcutaneously immunized with 20 μg rSjHsc20 on days 1, 15 and 31, and animals in the PBS control group were subcutaneously injected with the same volume of PBS on days 1, 15 and 31, while mice in the ISA 206 adjuvant group were subcutaneously immunized with the same volume of ISA 206 adjuvant on days 1, 15 and 31, respectively. All mice in each group were infected with (40 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen 14 day following the last immunization. Levels of serum specific IgG and its subtypes IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies against rSjHsc20, and the serum titers of anti-rSjHsc20 antibody were detected in mice using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All mice were sacrifice 42 days post-infection, and S. japonicum worms were collected from the hepatic portal vein and counted. The eggs per gram (EPG), worm burden reductions and egg burden reductions were estimated to evaluate the protective efficacy of the rSjHsc20 protein. Results The SjHsc20 gene had an open reading frame (ORF) with 756 bp in length and encoded 252 amino acids, and the rSjHsc20 protein had a relative molecular mass of approximately 29 kDa. The rSjHsc20 protein was recognized by the serum of mice infected with S. japonicum and the serum of mice immunized with the rSjHsc20 protein, indicating that rSjHsc20 had a good immunogenicity. There was a significant difference in the transcriptional levels of the SjHsc20 gene among the 7-day (1.001 4 ± 0.065 7), 12-day (2.268 3 ± 0.129 2), 21-day (1.378 5 ± 0.160 4), 28-day (1.196 4 ± 0.244 0), 35-day (1.646 3 ± 0.226 1), 42-day worms of S. japonicum (1.758 0 ± 0.611 1) (F = 38.45, P < 0.000 1), and the transcriptional level of the SjHsc20 gene was higher in the 12-day worms than in worms at other developmental stages (all P values < 0.000 1). The serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG antibody were 0.106 6 ± 0.010 7, 0.108 3 ± 0.010 4, and 0.553 2 ± 0.069 1 in the PBS control group, ISA 206 adjuvant group, and rSjHsc20 immunization group following the last immunization, respectively, and the serum levels of IgG1 antibody were 0.137 3 ± 0.054 0, 0.181 1 ± 0.096 8, and 1.765 8 ± 0.221 1, while the levels of IgG2a antibody were 0.280 3 ± 0.197 6, 0.274 0 ± 0.146 3, and 1.560 4 ± 0.106 0, respectively. There were significant differences in the serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG (F = 397.70, P < 0.000 1), IgG1 (F = 401.00, P < 0.000 1) and IgG2a antibodies (F = 229.70, P < 0.000 1) among the three groups, and the serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were higher in the rSjHsc20 immunization group than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (all P values < 0.000 1). There was a significant difference in the IgG1/IgG2a ratio among the rSjHsc20 immunization group (1.177 2 ± 0.143 6), the PBS control group (0.428 4 ± 0.199 8) and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (0.559 9 ± 0.181 1) (F = 43.97, P < 0.000 1), and the IgG1/IgG2a ratio was > 1 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group, which was higher than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (both P values < 0.000 1). The titers of serum anti-rSjHsc20 antibody were all above 1∶16 384 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group following immunizations on days 1, 15 and 31, indicating that the rSjHsc20 protein had a strong immunogenicity. The mean worm burdens were (16.60±5.75), (15.80±5.58) worms per mouse and (14.40±5.75) worms per mouse in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group 42 days post-infection with S. japonicum cercariae (F = 0.50, P > 0.05), and the EPG were 68 370 ± 22 690, 67 972 ± 19 502, and 41 075 ± 13 251 in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group (F = 4.55, P < 0.05), with lower EPG in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group than in the rSjHsc20 immunization group (both P values < 0.05). Immunization with the rSjHsc20 protein resulted in a worm burden reduction of 13.25% and an egg burden reduction of 39.92% relative to the PBS control group. Conclusions SjHsc20 is successfully cloned and expressed, and the rSjHsc20 protein induces partial immunoprotective effects in mice, which provides a basis for deciphering the biological functions of SjHsc20 and assessing the potential of SjH-sc20 as a vaccine candidate.

INTRODUCTION: The most recent local study on the incidence of histological subtypes of all brain and spinal tumours treated surgically was published in 2000. In view of the outdated data, we investigated the presenting characteristics, histological subtypes and outcomes of adult patients who underwent surgery for brain or spinal tumours at our institution. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective review of 501 patients who underwent surgery for brain or spinal tumours from 2016 to 2020 was conducted. The inclusion criteria were (a) patients who had a brain or spinal tumour that was histologically verified and (b) patients who were aged 18 years and above at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-five patients (86.8%) had brain tumours and 66 patients (13.2%) had spinal tumours. Patients with brain tumours frequently presented with cranial nerve palsy, headache and weakness, while patients with spinal tumours frequently presented with weakness, numbness and back pain. Overall, the most common histological types of brain and spinal tumours were metastases, meningiomas and tumours of the sellar region. The most common complications after surgery were cerebrospinal fluid leak, diabetes insipidus and urinary tract infection. In addition, 15.2% of the brain tumours and 13.6% of the spinal tumours recurred, while 25.7% of patients with brain tumours and 18.2% of patients with spinal tumours died. High-grade gliomas and metastases had the poorest survival and highest recurrence rates. CONCLUSION This study serves as a comprehensive update of the epidemiology of brain and spinal tumours and could help guide further studies on brain and spinal tumours.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications ; Young Adult ; Spinal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Aged, 80 and over ; Adolescent

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has broke out in 29 countries and regions in the world in a short period since December 2019. Various measures of prevention and control have been taken all over China. At present, the epidemic situation shows a positive trend, however, there are still a few new comfirmed cases in some area of China. So the job and thinking of epidemic prevention still cannot be relaxed. As an important specialty of stomatology, the risk of cross infection is high in oral medicine. Establishing an effective system of pre- inspection and triage and adopting strict measures of prevention and control are essential. According to the prevention and control situation of COVID- 19, the characteristics of hospital infection, pre examination, protective measures, the home management strategies of oral mucosal diseases during the epidemic period and the differential diagnosis between COVID-19 and common oral muco- sal diseases with fever were summarized and recommended in this paper.

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via sublingual and vestibular approach (TOETSLVA).Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of patients who underwent TOETSLVA in our department from November 2011 to May 2020, including 3 males and 95 females, aged from 18 to 57 years old. Initial 81 cases were categorized in "Period A (November 2011-November 2015)" and subsequent 17 cases in "Period B (August 2019-May 2020)" . Data about demographics, operation time and complications were collected. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:In Period A, the average age of patients was (34.2±9.4) years old; the mean tumor diameter was (2.33±0.80) cm; postoperative pathology showed benign nodules in 76 cases and malignant carcinoma in 5 cases; there were 65 cases of unilateral subtotal thyroid lobectomy, 6 cases of isthmus lobectomy, and 5 cases of bilateral subtotal thyroid lobectomy, with the mean operation time of (132.70±47.22) min; in 5 cases of unilateral thyroid lobectomy with central lymph node dissection, the mean operation time was (185.4±31.40) min; postoperative neck infections occurred in 6 cases; temporary vocal cord paralysis occurred in 1 case, which it recovered within two months; and CO 2 gas embolism occurred in 2 cases. In Period B, the average age of patients was (35.1±8.5) years old; mean tumor diameter was (1.32±0.67) cm; postoperative pathology indicated malignant nodules in 15 cases and benign nodules in 2 cases; in 2 cases of unilateral thyroid lobectomy, the mean operation time was (153.5±34.64) min; in 15 cases of unilateral thyroid lobectomy with central lymph node dissection, the mean operation time was (123.73±14.26) min; and none of patients developed postoperative neck infections or CO 2 gas embolism. All patients had different degree of cutaneous numbness in the submandibular region after surgery, which recovered within 1-2 weeks. There were no complications such as postoperative secondary hemorrhage, permanent vocal cord paralysis, hypoparathyroidism in both the periods. The median follow-up time was 86 months (57-105 months) in Peroid A and 5 months (3-12 months) in Peroid B. During the follow-up periods, there were no obvious abnormalities in swallowing, chewing, oral sensory function and neck activity, and also no tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions:TOETSLVA is a safe and feasible surgery method, with a good cosmetic result. This approach will not lead to a postoperative cutaneous numbness of the submandibular region for a long time.

Objective　To investigate the relationship of motor unit number estimation(MUNE)by multiple point stimulation with the outcome of surgical treatment patients with Hirayama disease(HD).Methods　A total of 36 consecutive patients including unilateral in 26 cases and bilateral in 10 cases with Hirayama disease treated by anterior cervical discectomy decompression and fusion in Peking University Third Hospital from October 2007 to May 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.There were 35 males and 1 female,aged from 16-26 years(average,19.2 years).A total of 46 hands were enrolled.Odom criteria was used to evaluate the subjective outcome of surgical treatment.Multiple point stimulating technique was used to estimate the motor unit number of abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digitiminimi preoperatively and at the time of pre-operation and the latest follow-up.Hands were divided into two groups based on Odom criteria(Group A with excellent and good;Group B with fair and poor).The difference between the two groups were examined by t text.Results　A total of 46 hands with complete clinical and electrophysiology data were followed up for 12-96 months(average,28.2 months).The outcome at the final follow-up according to Odom criteria was:Excellent in 8 cases,Good in 18 cases,Fair in 20 cases and no Poor case.MUNE of abductor pollicis brevis increased significantly after surgery from 139.6±68.4 to 188.2±60.4(t=-5.86,P<0.001).MUNE of abductor digitiminimi increased significantly after surgery from 75.0±66.3 to 104.2±80.4 significantly(t=-3.86,P<0.001).For two groups in age,follow-up period,preoperative MUNE of abductor pollicis brevis,and preoperative abductor digitiminimi,there was no significant difference.The illness course of Group A was 24.0±11.3 months,which was significantly shorter than Group B 34.9±21.2 months(t=-4.452,P<0.01).Group A had more increased MUNE of abductor pollicis brevis 65.6±64.1 compared with Group B 26.7±34.7(t=2.446,P<0.05)and Group A had more increased MUNE of abductor digitiminimi 42.6±59.3 compared with Group B 11.8±32.4 after surgery(t=2.088,P<0.05).Conclusion　MUNE by multiple point stimulating technique could be used to evaluate the neurological function of Hirayama disease and the outcome of surgical treatment quantitatively.

Objective To investigate the application value of limited liquid resuscitation combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) companied with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).Methods The retrospective cohort study was adopted.The clinical data of 67 patients with SAP companied with ACS who were admitted to the Fuling Center Hospital of Chongqing from January 2005 to December 2014 were collected.Among 67 patients,33 receiving conventional liquid resuscitation between January 2005 and December 2010 were allocated into the control group and 34 receiving limited liquid resuscitation combined with CRRT between January 2011 and December 2014 were allocated into the observation group.Observation indicators included:(1) required fluid volume and time of negative fluid balance in the 2 groups;(2) changes of pathological and physiological indicators after treatment in the 2 groups;(3)outcomes and prognosis of patients in the 2 groups.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as (x)±s and comparison between groups was analyzed using t test.Count data were analyzed using the chi-square test.Repeated measurement data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.Results (1) Required fluid volume and time of negative fluid balance in the 2 groups:required fluid volumes at 6,24,48 and 72 hours after resuscitation were (2 449±339) mL,(4 820±757) mL,(9 428± 1 272) mL,(13 127± 1 565) mL in the control group and (2 360± 314) mL,(4 582±530) mL,(8 564± 970) mL,(11 470± 1 253) mL in the observation group,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in required fluid volume between the 2 groups (F=13.035,P＜0.05) and in required fluid volume at 48 and 72 hours between the 2 groups (t=3.132,4.794,P＜0.05).Time of negative fluid balance in the observation group and control group was (4.3± 1.7)days and (6.4 ±1.8)days,respectively,showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (t =4.913,P＜0.05).(2) Changes of pathological and physiological indicators in the 2 groups after treatment:time factors:from 0 h to 168 h postoperatively,APACHE Ⅱ score,C-reaction protein (CRP),D-dimer,IAP,Bla and oxygenation index were changed from 20.9±4.1 to 13.9±2.6,from (167±39)mg/L to (55±17) mg/L,from (1 652±1 544) μg/L to (993±500)μg/L,from (23.4±3.4)cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa) to (21.4±2.9)cmH2O,from (4.6±1.6) mmol/L to (1.4±0.5)mmol/L,from (189±27) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) to (152±23)mmHg in the control group,and chaged from 21.5±5.1 to 11.0±2.8,from (168±36)mg/L to (44±19)mg/L,from (1 634±1 525) μg/L to (578±350) μg/L,from (23.2±2.5)cmH2O to (17.4±2.6)cmH2O,from (4.5±1.6)mmol/L to (0.8±0.3)mmol/L,from (188±26)mmHg to (196±25)mmHg in the observation group,respectively,showing gradual decreasing with time and statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (F =186.415,581.118,34.618,212.416,262.272,207.645,P＜0.05).Treatment factors:there were no significant differences in changing trends of APACHE Ⅱ score,D-dimer and Bla between the 2 groups (F=3.499,2.350,3.516,P＞0.05),and there were significant differences in changing trends of CRP,IAP and oxygenation index between the 2 groups (F=4.009,15.276,14.959,P＜0.05).Interaction effect between time factors and treatment factors:there were obviously interaction effects between time factors and treatment factors in APACHE Ⅱ score,CRP,IAP and oxygenation index (F=4.890,4.912,23.874,28.615,P＜0.05) and no interaction effects between time factors and treatment factors in D-dimer and Bla (F=2.803,1.920,P＞0.05).(3) Outcomes and prognosis of patients in the 2 groups:numbers of patients with surgery,local complications and infection and duration of hospital stay were 11,16,14,(46±17)days in the control group and 4,6,6,(36±14) days in the observation group,respectively,with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (x2=4.484,7.221,4.910,t =2.433,P＜0.05).Mortality and hospital expenses were 24.2％ (8/33),(33± 18) x 104 yuan in the control group and 8.8％ (3/34),(27± 14)× 104 yuan in the observation group,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (x2 =2.901,t =1.283,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Limited liquid resuscitation combined with CRRT can effectively control IAP of patients with SAP companied with ACS and improve oxygenation index,meanwhile,it can also reduce number of patients with surgery,infection and local complications and duration of hospital stay.