Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and predictive value on acute kidney injury (AKI) following surgery, and to elucidate the relationship between platelet/white blood cell ratio (PWR) and AKI.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The patients who underwent surgery admitted to Honghui Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2019 to January 2023 were enrolled. The patients who developed AKI during the postoperative hospital stay were categorized as the AKI group, while those with normal renal function or not meeting AKI criteria were categorized as the non-AKI group. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, perioperative medication usage, surgical related information, and preoperative and postoperative laboratory indicators were collected. Binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for postoperative AKI. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to assess the predictive efficacy of postoperative PWR for postoperative AKI.Results:A total of 420 patients were enrolled finally, with 72 developing AKI during hospitalization and 348 not developing AKI. Compared with the non-AKI group, the patients in the AKI group had a higher proportion of hypertension and coronary heart disease, a more usage of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), mannitol and vancomycin but a less usage of hydroxyethyl starch, a longer duration from injury to surgery and postoperative hospital stay, a greater intraoperative blood transfusion volume, a lower preoperative albumin (Alb), blood sodium, blood chlorine but a higher serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/Alb ratio and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and a higher postoperative white blood cell count (WBC), BUN, SCr, BUN/Alb ratio, blood potassium, and blood phosphorus but a lower platelet count (PLT), PWR, and Alb. Binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that perioperative usage of hydroxyethyl starch [odds ratio ( OR) = 8.595, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 4.112-17.964, P < 0.001], prolonged duration from injury to surgery ( OR = 1.084, 95% CI was 1.034-1.137, P = 0.001), increased intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR = 1.001, 95% CI was 1.000-1.002, P = 0.017) were risk factors for AKI following surgery, and increased postoperative PWR was protective factor ( OR = 0.930, 95% CI was 0.894-0.967, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of postoperative PWR for predicting postoperative AKI was 0.684 (95% CI was 0.615-0.754); at the optimal cut-off value of 19.34, the sensitivity was 63.8%, and the specificity was 69.8%. Conclusions:Postoperative PWR is an independent risk factor for AKI in patients undergoing surgery. Postoperative PWR reduction in surgical patients can assist in predicting the occurrence of postoperative AKI.

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have made COVID-19 convalescents susceptible to re-infection and have raised concern about the efficacy of inactivated vaccination in neutralization against emerging variants and antigen-specific B cell response. To this end, a study on a long-term cohort of 208 participants who have recovered from COVID-19 was conducted, and the participants were followed up at 3.3 (Visit 1), 9.2 (Visit 2), and 18.5 (Visit 3) months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. They were classified into three groups (no-vaccination (n = 54), one-dose (n = 62), and two-dose (n = 92) groups) on the basis of the administration of inactivated vaccination. The neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers against the wild-type virus continued to decrease in the no-vaccination group, but they rose significantly in the one-dose and two-dose groups, with the highest NAb titers being observed in the two-dose group at Visit 3. The NAb titers against the Delta variant for the no-vaccination, one-dose, and two-dose groups decreased by 3.3, 1.9, and 2.3 folds relative to the wild-type virus, respectively, and those against the Omicron variant decreased by 7.0, 4.0, and 3.8 folds, respectively. Similarly, the responses of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific B cells and memory B cells were boosted by the second vaccine dose. Results showed that the convalescents benefited from the administration of the inactivated vaccine (one or two doses), which enhanced neutralization against highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants and memory B cell responses. Two doses of inactivated vaccine among COVID-19 convalescents are therefore recommended for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccination guidelines and policies need to be updated.

To investigate the regulation of N6- methyladenosine ( m6A ) modification on L-type calcium channels in atrial myocytes under high hydrostatic pressure, mediated by methyltransferase-like protein 3 ( METTL3 ). Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control group and the hypertension group ( treated with continuous administration of angiotensin for four weeks ). Masson staining was used to observe the fibrosis of mouse atrial tissue, while dot blot assay and Western blot were used to detect the levels of m6A, METTL3, and Cavi1 2 in the atrial tissue. A high hydrostatic pressure model was constructed using the HL-1 cell line cultured in vitro, and METTL3 was intervened to observe changes in m6A expression levels, METTL3 and Cavi1 2 levels in cells,and action potential duration ( APD ) and L-type calcium current ( I

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to provide the evidences on the toxicokinetics of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the bodies of mammals. METHODS: 100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm fluorescent polystyrene (PS) beads were administered to mice once by gavage at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. The levels and change of fluorescence intensity in samples of blood, subcutaneous fat, perirenal fat, peritesticular fat, cerebrum, cerebellum, testis, and epididymis were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration using an IVIS Spectrum small-animal imaging system. Histological examination, confocal laser scanning, and transmission electron microscope were performed to corroborate the findings. RESULTS: After confirming fluorescent dye leaching and impact of pH value, increased levels of fluorescence intensity in blood, all adipose tissues examined, cerebrum, cerebellum, and testis were measured in the 100 nm group, but not in the 3 and 10 μm groups except in the cerebellum and testis at 4 h for the 3 μm PS beads. The presence of PS beads was further corroborated. CONCLUSION After a single oral exposure, NPs are absorbed rapidly in the blood, accumulate in adipose tissues, and penetrate the blood-brain/testis barriers. As expected, the toxicokinetics of MPs is significantly size-dependent in mammals.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Microplastics ; Plastics ; Genitalia ; Adipose Tissue ; Polystyrenes/toxicity* ; Nerve Tissue ; Mammals

Primary liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors and its mortality ranks third in the world. Because there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of liver cancer, most patients are diagnosed as advanced stage, without the opportunity of surgical resection. The authors report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus, which reduced significantly after hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab and atezolizumab, showing the safety and efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of cognitive impairment caused by solitary cerebellar infarction.Methods:From January 2017 to January 2019, 76 inpatients with acute cerebellar infarction treated at our hospital were continuously enrolled as the infarction group and 88 outpatients without cerebral infarction at our hospital during the same period were collected as the control group.The patients in the two groups were evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scales(MoCA)and Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)Scale at 14 days, 1 month and 3 months after the onset of solitary cerebellar infarction, respectively.Results:The MoCA and MMSE scores were lower in the infarction group than in the control group at 14 days, 1 month and 3 months after the onset of solitary cerebellar infarction(MoCA: 23.9±6.13 vs.28.1±2.51, 22.6±6.07 vs. 28.2±2.28 and 22.5±6.19 vs. 28.2±2.15, t=5.88, 8.03 and 8.09, P<0.001; MMES: 25.7±4.54 vs.28.3±2.25, 24.9±4.63 vs.28.2±2.14 and 24.6±4.43 vs.28.3±2.16, t=4.74, 5.99 and 6.94, all P<0.001). Cognitive function scores showed that three major recognition domains of visual space and executive function, attention and memory had statistically significant difference between the two groups( P<0.05), and the differences in three recognition domain of naming, calculating force, directional force between the two groups were not statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusions:There is a clear correlation between cerebellar infarction and cognitive impairment, which is mainly manifested in three aspects of visual space and executive function, attention and memory.The great attention should be paid to screening and intervention on the three aspects in clinical work, which is of great significance for improving the quality of life and prognosis of patients.

Objective:To investigate the association between cerebral hypoperfusion and cognitive function decline in patients with asymptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis.Methods:Sixty patients with moderate or severe stenosis of middle cerebral artery were diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from November 2017 to November 2018. All patients were divided into perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) normal group （ n=14）, PWI compensated group ( n=26) and PWI decompensated group ( n=20) according to the results of PWI of magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were assessed for cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA). Results:The cognitive scores of the PWI decompensated group (MMSE score: 19.35±3.26; MoCA score: 16.06±2.59) were significantly lower than the PWI normal group (MMSE score: 26.29±3.12; MoCA score: 24.27±2.85) and the PWI compensated group (MMSE score: 23.78±1.77; MoCA score: 20.69±2.73), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=5.257, 4.134; P<0.05). The visual space and executive ability, language, delayed recall in the PWI compensated group (3.27±0.97, 1.45±0.73, 2.47±1.73, respectively) and the PWI decompensated group (1.96±0.79, 0.97±0.59, 1.49±1.38, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the PWI normal group (4.25±1.29, 2.57±1.24, 3.57±1.51, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant ( F=6.371,5.394,4.989, P<0.05). Patients in the PWI decompensated group had atrophy in the narrow hemisphere. Conclusion:Low cerebral perfusion induced by asymptomatic moderate-to-severe stenosis of the middle cerebral artery is associated with extensive cognitive impairment and local brain atrophy.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of dabigatran and warfarin in the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).Methods:The medical records of patients with CVT admitted to the Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were analyzed respectively. According to the drug use, they were divided into dabigatran group and warfarin group. The main outcome measure was good functional outcome at 6 months after treatment, defined as the modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2. The secondary outcome measures included the rate of recanalization of the affected venous sinus and the incidence of bleeding.Results:A total of 152 patients with CVT were included, including 34 in the dabigatran group and 118 in the warfarin group. There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline data between the two groups. At 6 months after treatment, the rate of good functional outcomes (94.1% vs. 93.2%; χ2=0.043, P=0.836) and the affected venous sinus recanalization (94.1% vs. 93.2%; χ2=0.043, P=0.836) in the dabigatran group and the warfarin group were not statistically significant. The bleeding rate of the dabigatran group was significantly lower than that of the warfarin group (8.8% vs. 27.1%; χ2=4.985, P=0.026). There was no significant difference in the incidence of minor bleeding between the two groups (8.8% vs. 16.1%; χ2=0.618, P=0.432), but the incidence of severe bleeding in the dabigatran group tended to be lower than that in the warfarin group (0% vs. 11.0%; Fisher's exact test P=0.074). There were no deaths in the dabigatran group and 2 deaths in the warfarin group, of which 1 pregnant woman died of recurrence of CVT at 4 months after treatment, and 1 male patient died of acute myocardial infarction at 2 months after treatment. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (0% vs. 1.7%; Fisher's exact test P=1.000). Conclusions:Dabigatran is as effective as warfarin in the treatment of CVT, and the risk of bleeding complications is lower.

Objective:To observe the changes in visual field defect before and after treatment in patients with acute solitary occipital lobe cerebral infarction.Methods:From January 2017 to May 2019, 59 patients with hemianopsia who were diagnosed as acute occipital lobe cerebral infarction in Henan Provincial People's Hospital were selected. There were 35 males (59.3%) and 24 females (40.7%); aged from 50 to 72 years, with an average age of 62.86±6.10 years. There were 23 patients of right occipital cerebral infarction and 36 patients of left occipital cerebral infarction. Lesions involved 41 patients in the striated area, 8 patients involved the occipital pole, and 23 patients involved visual radiation. All patients underwent standard medical treatment. All patients underwent visual field examination before treatment, and modified rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the level of visual disability after cerebral infarction. At 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment,54 patients underwent at least one visual field examination in outpatient or inpatient follow-up visits, and 5 patients were lost to follow-up; 49 patients received repeated mRS scores. The visual field defect and mRS score of patients before and after treatment were compared and analyzed. The improvement of visual field defect in the horizontal direction exceeding 10°or the vertical direction exceeding 15°was defined as improvement, otherwise it was defined as no improvement. According to the type of visual field defect, the patients were divided into two groups: complete homonymous hemianopia and incomplete homonymous hemianopia. The cumulative visual field improvement rate of the two groups of patients was calculated. An mRS score of 0 to 2 was defined as a good prognosis, and >2 was defined as a poor prognosis.Results:Before treatment, of the 59 patients, 47 were complete homonymous hemianopsia and 12 were incomplete. Of the 47 patients with complete homonymous hemianopia, 26 patients had hemianopia on the right side of both eyes, 21 patients had hemianopia on the left side of both eyes; 32 patients with macular avoidance (72.3%). Among the 12 patients of incomplete homonymous hemianopia, 10 patients of quadrant blindness included 6 patients of upper quadrant and 4 patients of lower quadrant; 2 patients of partial isotropic hemianopia on one side. Of the 54 patients reviewed after treatment, the visual field improved at the last follow-up of 25 patients (46.3%), and there was no improvement in 29 patients (53.7%). The cumulative visual field improvement rate of 47 patients with complete hemianopia hemianopia before treatment was 37.2% (16/43). The cumulative visual field improvement rate of 11 patients with incomplete isotropic hemianopia before treatment was 81.8% (9/11). There was a statistically significant difference in cumulative visual field improvement between the two groups of patients ( χ2 = 7.011, P<0.05). Before treatment, 59 patients had mRS scores of 1 to 2 points in 15 patients (25.4%), and 44 patients with 2 points or more (74.6%). Of the 49 patients reviewed after treatment, 28 (57.1%) had a good prognosis and 21(42.9%) had a poor prognosis. Conclusions:The visual field defect of patients with homonymous hemianopsia after acute occipital infarction may be improved after treatment. The improvement mostly occurs within 1 m after treatment, and patients with incomplete homonymous hemianopsia have more significant improvements than those with complete homonymous hemianopsia.