Objective To investigate the sputum metabolic profiles of patients with occupational coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) by an untargeted metabolomics method, and to identify relevant differential metabolic pathways and potential biomarkers. Methods A total of 12 male patients with stage Ⅰ CWP were selected as the CWP group, and 16 healthy male individuals were selected as the control group, using a judgmental sampling method. Sputum metabolites of individuals in both groups were detected to perform non-targeted metabolomic analysis using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Differential metabolites (DMs) and their pathways were screened using principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Potential biomarkers were analyzed and identified via the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results There were apparent metabolic alterations observed in sputum of CWP patients compared with healthy controls. In the positive ion mode, a total of 42 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 19 downregulated and 23 upregulated metabolites. In the negative ion mode, a total of 25 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 16 downregulated and 9 upregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis of sputum from CWP patients showed that seven DMs pathways were enriched in ABC transporters, histidine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, involving 26 DMs. ROC analysis indicated that 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate of these 26 DMs may serve as potential biomarkers for CWP. Conclusion Sputum metabolomic profiles were altered in CWP patients compared with healthy controls. The potential biomarkers of CWP prevention and treatment are 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate.

The anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)is a crucial structure for maintaining the stabil-ity of the knee joint,and is capable of restricting anterior tibial translation and preventing tibial inter-nal rotation.ACL injury is a common sports-related injury in clinical practice with a relatively high incidence rate.It can impact patients' exercise capacity and negatively reduce their quality of life.Currently,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)examination and arthroscopy are commonly used in clinical practice to diagnose ACL injuries.As a non-invasive diagnostic technique,MRI possesses good soft tissue resolution and high spatial resolution,conferring it a certain diagnostic value for osteo-articular diseases.The results of MRI can guide arthroscopy,assist in ACL reconstruction,and evalu-ate the outcomes of reconstruction.This article reviewed the current research status of ACL injuries of the knee joint and MRI diagnosis,aiming to provide references for the diagnosis and treatment of ACL injuries of the knee joint.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine synthetase (GS) and arginase 1 (Arg1) are widely used pathological markers that discriminate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; however, their clinical significance in HCC remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 431 HCC patients: 251 received hepatectomy alone, and the other 180 received sorafenib as adjuvant treatment after hepatectomy. Expression of GS and Arg1 in tumor specimens was evaluated using immunostaining. mRNA sequencing and immunostaining to detect progenitor markers (cytokeratin 19 [CK19] and epithelial cell adhesion molecule [EpCAM]) and mutant TP53 were also conducted. RESULTS: Up to 72.4% (312/431) of HCC tumors were GS positive (GS+). Of the patients receiving hepatectomy alone, GS negative (GS-) patients had significantly better overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than GS+ patients; negative expression of Arg1, which is exclusively expressed in GS- hepatocytes in the healthy liver, had a negative effect on prognosis. Of the patients with a high risk of recurrence who received additional sorafenib treatment, GS- patients tended to have better RFS than GS+ patients, regardless of the expression status of Arg1. GS+ HCC tumors exhibit many features of the established proliferation molecular stratification subtype, including poor differentiation, high alpha-fetoprotein levels, increased progenitor tumor cells, TP53 mutation, and upregulation of multiple tumor-related signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS GS- HCC patients have a better prognosis and are more likely to benefit from sorafenib treatment after hepatectomy. Immunostaining of GS may provide a simple and applicable approach for HCC molecular stratification to predict prognosis and guide targeted therapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Sorafenib/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase/metabolism* ; Hepatectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery*

Objective:To explore the clinical value of modified upper urinary tract video urodynamics in evaluating the surgical effect and guiding the follow-up treatment after ureteral reconstruction.Methods:From December 2018 to November 2020, sixty-nine patients underwent upper urinary tract reconstruction and received modified video urodynamics at the time of nephrostomy removal 3 months after the surgery in the RECUTTER database (29 cases in Peking University First Hospital, 22 cases in Emergency General Hospital, and 18 cases in Beijing Jiangong Hospital). There were 39 males and 30 females, with an average age of (40.4±12.7)years. The stricture was located in left in 34 patients, right side in 27 patients, and bilateral sides in 8 patients. The upper, middle, and lower thirds of the ureter were affected in 26, 10, and 33 cases, respectively. The preoperative creatinine was (92.3±26.9)μmol/L, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was (85.1±23.2)ml/(min·1.73m 2). The upper urinary tract reconstruction included ileal replacement of ureter in 25 cases (36.2%), pyeloplasty in 8 cases (11.6%), ureteroneocystostomy in 9 cases (13.0%), boari flap in 6 cases (8.7%), lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty in 9 cases (13.0%), appendiceal onlay ureteroplasty in 3 cases (4.3%), ureteroureterostomy in 3 cases (4.3%), and balloon dilation in 6 cases (8.7%). Based on the pressure and imaging, the results could be divided into three types, type Ⅰ, the pressure difference remained stable near baseline, and the renal pelvis pressure was below 22 cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), and the reconstructed ureter is well visualized during the whole perfusion process; type Ⅱ, the pressure difference increases with the perfusion, but it can decrease to a normal level with the ureteral peristalsis; type Ⅲ, the pressure difference exceeds 15 cmH 2O, and the ureteral peristalsis is weak or disappears at the same time. The management strategies and treatment effects of different subtypes were analyzed. Successful treatment was defined as no further treatment required, the absence of hydronephrosis-related symptoms, and the improved or stabilized degree of hydronephrosis. Results:All 69 patients successfully completed upper urinary tract video urodynamics. The pressure difference was higher than 15 cmH 2O in 8 patients, and the median pressure difference was 37(19-54)cmH 2O. The renal pelvis pressure exceeded 22 cmH 2O in 10 patients, and the median pressure was 63.5 (24-155) cmH 2O. Video urodynamic results of upper urinary tract were classified as type Ⅰ in 60 cases, type Ⅱ in 5 cases, and type Ⅲ in 4 cases. Patients in type Ⅰ do not require other treatment after nephrostomy tube removal. Patients in type Ⅱ should avoid holding urine after the removal of nephrostomy and D-J tubes. All patients in type Ⅲ received further treatment, of which 2 patients replaced D-J tube regularly, 1 patient underwent long-term metal ureteral stent replacement, and 1 patient underwent ureteroscopic balloon dilation. The median follow-up time was 24 (18-42) months. All patients in type Ⅰ met the criteria for surgical success, The pre-and postoperative creatinine in type Ⅰ patients were (88.71±23.09)μmol/L and (88.75±23.64)μmol/L ( P=0.984), and eGFR were (88.06±22.66)ml/(min· 1.73m 2)and (87.97±23.01)ml/(min·1.73m 2), respectively( P=0.969). For type Ⅱ patients, ultrasound showed that the degree of hydronephrosis improved in 3 cases and remained stable in 2 cases. The pre-and postoperative creatinine were (105.97±7.75)μmol/L and (97.63±7.56)μmol/L ( P=0.216), and eGFR were (69.08±14.74)ml/(min·1.73m 2)and (75.95±14.02)ml/(min·1.73m 2)( P=0.243), respectively. For type Ⅲ patients, ultrasound showed that the degree of hydronephrosis remained stable. The pre-and postoperative creatinine were (105.14±44.34)μmol/L and (101.49±57.02)μmol/L ( P=0.684), and eGFR were (65.32±19.85)ml/(min·1.73m 2) and (73.42±27.88) ml/(min·1.73m 2), respectively( P=0.316). Conclusions:The pressure and imaging results of modified upper urinary tract video urodynamics can assist in evaluating the surgical effect of ureteral reconstruction, and the classification has certain guiding significance for further treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect ofbiglycan (BGN) on neural apoptosis in mice with early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods SAH models were induced by endovascular perforation in young male C57BL/6J mice.(1) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH 6 h group,SAH 12 h group,SAH 24 h group,SAH 48 h group,and SAH 72 h group (n=8);the BGN protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).(2) Totally,16 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group and SAH 48 h group (n=8);immunofluorescent double staining was conducted to explore the BGN expression in the neurons of brain tissues.(3) Totally,24 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,sham+control lentivirus group,and sham+BGN lentivirus group (n=8);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before sham-operation;qRT-PCR was performed to explore the BGN mRNA expression.(4) Totally,48 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group,SAH+control lentivirus group,and SAH+BGN lentivirus group (n=16);BGN lentiviral vector and control lentivirus were administered intracerebroventricularly 7 d before SAH;neurological scores were detected by modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests;TUNEL was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis,and Western blotting was performed to explore the expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) and phosphorylated-(p-) NF-κB.Results (1) Mice in the SAH 48 h group had the highest BGN protein and mRNA expressions,which showed statistical differences as compared with the sham-operated group (P＜0.05).(2) A majority of BGN expressions were detected in the neurons 48 h after SAH.(3) The sham+BGN lentivirus group had statistically lower BGN mRNA expression than the sham+control lentivirus group (P＜0.05).(4) As compared with those in the SAH+control lentivirus group,both scores of modified Garcia scale and beam balance tests were significantly higher in SAH+BGN lentivirus group (6.125±1.246 vs.13.000±1.309;1.125±1.126 vs.2.875±0.835),and neural apoptosis ratio and ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB were significantly lower in the SAH+BGN lentivirus group (51.950％±11.166％ vs.31.938％±7.705％;1.161±0.156 vs.0.886±0.142,P＜0.05).Conclusion Inhibition of BGN can effectively reduce neuronal apoptosis in mice with EBI after SAH,and attenuate neurological deficits.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of acute kidney injury after orthotropic liver transplantation for adult benign end-stage liver disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 30 recipients (18 males,12 females,aged 23-68 years,ASA grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ) who underwent orthotropic liver transplantation for benign end-stage liver disease at Tongji Hospital from May,2014 to December,2014.Both demographic characteristics and perioperative parameters were collected,including general condition,surgery and anesthesia factors and intraoperative salvage autotransfusion or not.Perioperative laboratory findings related to renal function including urine volume,serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were collected,too.All variables tested in the univariate analysis with a P<0.10 were included in a multiple logistic regression analysis.Results There were less intraoperative salvage autotransfusion,more platelet transfusion and a higher using rate of vasopressors in the AKI group after surgery than those did not.Patients who received intraoperative salvage autotransfusion had 0.058 time odds (95%CI 0.005-0.649) of AKI than those did not;patients who required platelet transfusion had 10.706 times higher odds (95%CI 1.212-94.963) of AKI than those did not.Conclusion It is likely that intraoperative salvage autotransfusion was able to decrease the morbidity of AKI,while platelet transfusion and vasopressor administration to maintain blood pressure could increase the possibility of AKI.

Objective To investigate the median effective dose (ED50) of cisatracurium priming accelerating the onset of neuromuscular block in patients of different genders. Methods Ninety ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 18-55 yr undergoing elective abdominal operation under general anesthesia were divided into 2 groups ( n = 45 each): male group (group M) and female group (group F). Neuromuscular block was monitored with accelerograph F (TOF-Watch SX). A single twitch stimulation of ulnar nerve was used to monitor neuromuscular function.Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.04 mg/kg and fentanyl 1 μg/kg. Accelerograph F was opened after the patients lost consciousness. The priming dose of cisatracurium was injected intravenously, then fentanyl 5 μg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg were injected intravenously 3 min later and the left dose of cisatracurium for intubation was injected intravenously 4 min later. Tracheal intubation was performed when the ratio of the single twitch stimulation value to control value (T/Tc). decreased to 10%. Anesthesia was maintained with iv infusion of propofol and remifentanil and inhalation of isoflurane. The priming dose of cisatracurium was determined by up-and-down sequential trial. The initial priming dose was set at 5 μg/kg. The ratio of two successive doses was 1.2. T/Tc, time to 90% block, onset time, maximal neuromuscular block and clinical duration were recorded 4 min after the administration of the priming dose. The ED50 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of cisatracurium priming required to accelerate the onset were caculated. Results Time to 90% block was significantly longer-in group M than in group F (P ＜0.05). No significant difference was found in the other parameters among the groups. The ED50 and 95% CI of cisatracurium priming required to accelerate the onset were 21.36 μg/kg (95% CI 20.52-22.23 μg/kg)in group M and 14.53 μg/kg (95% CI 13.77-15.33 μg/kg) in group F. The ED50 was significantly higher in group M than in group F ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The ED50 of cisatracurium priming accelerating thd onset is 21.36 and 14.53 μg/kg in male and female respectively and it is significantly higher in male than in female.

Objective To investigate the effects of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods NF-κB AS-ODNs were transferred into the human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2), and the cells were stimulated by 10 μg/L TGF-β1 for 24 hours. The expression of NF-κB mRNA and α-SMA mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. α-SMA protein expression was assessed by fluorescence spectrum.Results TGF-β1 significantly up-regulated the expression of NF-κB mRNA, which was 8 folds of blank control (P<0.01). TGF-β1-indueed epithelial mesenchymal transition was inhibited by NF-kB AS-ODN and the NF-KB mRNA expression of AS-ODNs was decreased by 75%(P<0.05).The expression of α-SMA mRNA and protein was also down-regulated obviously (P<0.05).Conclusion NF-κB AS-ODN can inhibit the expression of NF-κB and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which may be a new therapeutic strategy against tubulointerstitial fibrosis.