Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathologic features and molecular genetics characteristics of sinonasal tract mucosal malignant melanomas(STMMMs)in elderly patients.Methods:The clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical features and BRAF, C-KIT, NRAS mutations of STMMM in ten elderly patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 10 patients, 5 were female and 5 were male.The patients were aged 65-81 years, with an average age of(72.5 ± 8.5)years.The lesions in 7 cases were located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and in the other 3 cases were located in the nasopharynx.The morphologies of tumor cells under microscope was complex and diverse, showing plasma cell-like, rhabdomyoblast-like, small cell-like, epithelial-like, and spindle cell-like morphologies.Immunohistochemically, HMB-45 and S-100 were generally positive in 10 cases, and the positive rate of Melan A was 70.0%.The genes detection data showed no mutations in BRAF or NRAS genes in all the 10 cases, while C-KIT exon 11 c. 1666_1667insA mutation was found in one case, and the remaining 9 cases were wild-type for C-KIT.All the 10 cases were followed up for 4~50 months.Three cases survived so far.Conclusions:STMMM in elderly patients are rare and easy to be misdiagnosed.Immunohistochemistry and genetic testing provide guidance for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Objective    To assess the feasibility and safety of ultra-micro 5 mm single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Methods    From March 1, 2018 to February 1, 2021, 90 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent ultra-micro 5 mm single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital. There were 47 males and 43 females, with a median age of 26.0 (22.0, 31.0) years. During the operation, T3 and/or T4 thoracic sympathetic nerve chain was transected using an ultra-micro 5 mm single-port incision near the areola or under the axilla. The surgical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results     All patients successfully completed the operation without major bleeding during the operation and no conversion to thoracotomy. There was no death or serious complication during the perioperative period. The operation time was 43.0 (23.0, 60.0) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) mL. In the perioperative period, only one patient needed a tiny chest tube indwelling. The symptoms of hyperhidrosis on the hands all disappeared after the operation. The pain score on the postoperative day was 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) points. The hospital stay after surgery was 1.0 (1.0, 1.0) d. In the first month after the operation, the symptoms of hyperhidrosis on the hands were significantly relieved compared with those before the operation. The surgical incisions healed well, the wounds were concealed, and there was no wound infection or poor healing. The patients' satisfaction with the surgical incisions was 100.0%. After the operation, 14 (15.6%) patients had mild compensatory hyperhidrosis, 5 (5.6%) patients had moderate compensatory hyperhidrosis, and no patient had severe compensatory hyperhidrosis. Overall satisfaction rate was 94.0%. Conclusion     The clinical application of ultra-micro 5 mm single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis is safe and feasible. The surgical wound is extremely small and hidden, the operation time is short, the pain is very slight, and the clinical outcome is good. It can fully meet the patients' pursuit of beauty.

Objective:To investigate the pathological characteristics and the clinical significance of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (termed by WHO as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19).Methods:Minimally invasive autopsies from lung, heart, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, thyroid and skin were performed on three patients died of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Chongqing, China. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), transmission electron microcopy, and histochemical staining were performed to investigate the pathological changes of indicated organs or tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of 2019-nCoV proteins. Real time PCR was carried out to detect the RNA of 2019-nCoV.Results:Various damages were observed in the alveolar structure, with minor serous exudation and fibrin exudation. Hyaline membrane formation was observed in some alveoli. The infiltrated immune cells in alveoli were majorly macrophages and monocytes. Moderate multinucleated giant cells, minimal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were also observed. Most of infiltrated lymphocytes were CD4-positive T cells. Significant proliferation of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia and focal desquamation of alveolar epithelia were also indicated. The blood vessels of alveolar septum were congested, edematous and widened, with modest infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyaline thrombi were found in a minority of microvessels. Focal hemorrhage in lung tissue, organization of exudates in some alveolar cavities, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were observed. Part of the bronchial epithelia were exfoliated. Coronavirus particles in bronchial mucosal epithelia and type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia were observed under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed that part of the alveolar epithelia and macrophages were positive for 2019-nCoV antigen. Real time PCR analyses identified positive signals for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Decreased numbers of lymphocyte, cell degeneration and necrosis were observed in spleen. Furthermore, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells, formation of hyaline thrombus in small vessels, and pathological changes of chronic diseases were observed in other organs and tissues, while no evidence of coronavirus infection was observed in these organs.Conclusions:The lungs from novel coronavirus pneumonia patients manifest significant pathological lesions, including the alveolar exudative inflammation and interstitial inflammation, alveolar epithelium proliferation and hyaline membrane formation. While the 2019-nCoV is mainly distributed in lung, the infection also involves in the damages of heart, vessels, liver, kidney and other organs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism underlying pathological changes of this disease.

Objective: To explore the screening efficiency of colorectal cancer in urban residents of Kunming, China. Methods: Using the method of cluster sampling, from October 2014 to October 2017, residents of the three jurisdictions of Xishan, Guandu and Chenggong Districts of Kunming city were investigated. The inclusion criteria: (1) resident (for more than 3 years) population of Kunming city aged 40-74 years old; (2) voluntarily participating and receiving colonoscopy; (3) signing informed consent. Based on the Harvard Cancer Risk Index, the questionnaire was built on the consensus of more than 20 years of common cancer epidemiology in China. Through the consensus reached by the multidisciplinary expert panel discussion, a comprehensive evaluation system for cancer risk in China was designed. The high-risk group of colorectal cancer was determined by preliminary screening of the questionnaire, and a free colonoscopy was performed for the appointment to the gastrointestinal endoscopy department of the Yunnan Cancer Hospital. All polypoid lesions and ulcers found by colonoscopy must be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis. χ² test or Fisher exact probability method was used to compare the detection of colorectal cancer in 4 groups of 40-49 years old, 50-59 years old, 60-69 years old, and ≥70-years old. Detection of colonoscopy, compliance, pathological examination, pathological diagnosis, and morbidity of colorectal cancer were analyzed. Results: A total of 127 960 people from 40 to 74 years old of urban residents in Kunming city participated in the preliminary screening of the questionnaire, including 59 748 (46.7%) males and 68 212 females (53.3%) with mean age of (53.6±8.6) years old. The 40-49 years old group had the largest number of participants (48 044, 37.5%), followed by the groups of 50-59 years old (42 473, 33.2%), 60-69 years old (34 111, 26.7%), and ≥70 years old (3332, 2.6%). Till October 2017, a total of 14 971 people were screened as at high risk of colorectal cancer, with the high-risk detection rate of 11.7%, and the high-risk detection rate of women was significantly higher than that of men [13.4% (9 109/68 212) vs. 9.8% (5 862/59 748), χ²=386.947, P<0.001]. The highest high-risk detection rate was in the 50-59 years group in both gender [men: 11.1% (2202/19 831), women: 15.3% (3034/22 642)]. A total of 3449 people among the high-risk population received colonoscopy examination. The compliance rate of colonoscopy was 23.0% (3449/14 971), and the male compliance rate was 19.8% (1162/5862), which was significantly lower than that of females [25.1% (2287/9109), χ²=56.175, P<0.001]. The highest compliance was observed in the 50-59 years group [25.4% (1438/5668)], followed by 40-49 years and 60-69 year group [22.1%(1091/4931) and 22.0%(891/4048), respectively], and the compliance of ≥70 years old group was the lowest [9.0% (29/324)]. Colonoscopy examination revealed 606 cases with lesions, the detection rate of lesions was 17.6%, and the male detection rate was significantly higher than that of females [26.9% (313/1162) vs. 12.8% (293/2287), χ²=106.140, P<0.001]. The detection rate of lesions increased with age [40-49, 50-59, 60-69, ≥70: 10.9% (119/1091), 17.5% (252/1438), 25.0% (223/891) and 41.4% (12/29), respectively, χ²=79.010, P<0.001]. A total of 584 cases underwent endoscopic excision and pathological diagnosis, and 465 cases (13.5%) of precancerous lesions were detected. The prevalence of precancerous lesions in men was higher than that in women [21.3% (247/1162) vs. 9.5% (218/2287), χ²=90.801, P<0.001], the precancerous lesion detection rate increased with age [40-49, 50-59, 60-69, ≥70: 8.0% (87/1091), 14.3% (206/1438), 18.1% (161/891) and 37.9% (11/29); χ²=58.109, P<0.001]. A total of 4 patients with colorectal cancer were detected, including 3 males and 1 female. The detection rate of male colorectal cancer was 258.2/100 000, and the female was 43.7/100 000, whose difference was not statistically significant (χ²=1.488, P=0.223). There was no significant difference in the detection rate of colorectal cancer among 4 age groups [40-49, 50-59, 60-69, ≥70: 91.7/100 000 (1/1091), 69.5/100 000 (1/1438), 224.5/100 000 (2/891) and 0, respectively, P=0.696]. Conclusions Screening for colorectal cancer is an important measure to control the onset and death of colorectal cancer. Through the questionnaire risk assessment plus colonoscopy, two-step screening method can improve the screening efficiency and greatly reduce the screening cost.

Triterpenoid saponins is an important secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, and the tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, as one of the main categories, have very high medicinal value and market demand. However, there is no systematic review on the research. Thus, the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway and metabolism of the medicinal plant tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins has important theoretical significance and broad application prospects.In this review, the biosynthetic pathway and metabolic regulation of medicinal plant of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins were discussed. My focus in this paper was to introduce the research development of several metabolic biosynthetic pathways of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins centered on dammarane type, and the gene improvement by methods such as metabolic pathway and other technological methods. This study provides references on secondary metabolic framework of medicinal plants of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, accurately locating secondary metabolism and its key enzymes, and promoting the sustainable uses of medicinal plant resources.

Objective To evaluate the correlation of CT enhancement parameters with Fuhrman grade in T1 (≤7 cm) clear cell renal carcinoma(ccRCC).Methods From September 2011 to November 2017,102 post-operation cases in our hospital proven to be T1 ccRCC were retrospectively analyzed.There were 71 males and 31 females,with a mean age of (59.1 ± 12.7)years (26 ～79 years),mean body mass index(BMI) of (24.0 ± 2.8)kg/m2 (14.3 ～ 31.6 kg/m2).Tumors of 55 patients were in left kidneys,47 in right kidneys.Fuhrman grade 1 and 2 were defined as low-grade group,meanwhile high-grade group included grade 3 and 4.There were 46 males and 21 females in low-grade group,with a mean age of (59.0 ± 13.2) years,mean BMI of (24.0 ± 2.9) kg/m2.In high-grade group,there were 25 males and 10 females,with a mean age of (58.8 ± 11.8) years,mean BMI of (24.2 ± 2.7) kg/m2.The maximum diameter and tumor enhancement value (TEVX),relative enhancement value (REVX) were measured and calculated.In arterial phase,X =1;in venous phase X =2.The total consumption amount of iodine was recorded.Comparisons of maximum diameter,TEV1,TEV2,REV1,REV2 and the total consumption of iodine between the two different groups were performed.The ROC curves of TEV1,TEV2,REV1,and REV2 were drawn to predict the grade of tumors..Results The TEV1 [(146.1 ± 29.1) HU vs.(100.2 ± 32.1) HU],TEV2 [(98.2 ± 22.9) HU vs.(75.6 ± 25.7) HU],REV1 (1.12 ± 0.24 vs.0.70 ± 0.16),REV2(0.67 ± 0.17 vs.0.54 ± 0.18) between low-grade group and high-grade group had statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the maximum diameter[(41.8 ± 15.4)mm vs.(45.3 ± 17.0)mm] and the total consumption of iodine [(33.3 ± 5.0)g vs.(34.2 ± 4.4)g] between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The area under ROC curve of TEV1,TEV2,REV1 and REV2 were 0.856,0.755,0.901 and 0.728,respectively.REV1 had the highest distinguish efficiency and the best critical value was 0.93.Conclusions The enhancement parameters of T1 ccRCC could contribute to predicting the Fuhrman grade.When the REV1 ≤0.93,the tumor tended to be high-grade tumor(Fuhrman grade 3-4).

Objective To explore the expression and clinical significance of proliferation associated antigen Ki-67 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods A total of 45 AML patients (including 36 newly diagnosed AML patients and 9 recurrent AML patients) and 20 healthy volunteers (healthy group) were enrolled from October 2012 to January 2016 in Department of Hematology in Fuxing Hospital. The expression of Ki-67 in bone marrow blast cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The relation between Ki-67 level and clinical characteristics, and the prognostic significance of Ki-67 were studied. Results The positive rate of Ki-67 in newly diagnosed AML, recurrent AML patients and healthy controls were (10.38±8.41)%, (20.99± 11.49) % and (40.77±11.97) %, respectively. The positive rate of Ki-67 in newly diagnosed AML patients or recurrent AML patients were significantly lower than that in healthy controls (all P<0.05). The positive rate of Ki-67 in newly diagnosed AML patients was significantly lower than that in recurrent AML patients (P=0.006). The level of Ki-67 in newly diagnosed AML patients did not significantly correlated with age, FAB subtype, white blood cell count, a history of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), proportion of blats cells, NPM1 gene mutation, FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) gene mutation, chromosome karyotype and response to induction therapy (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference of overall survival between high Ki-67 expression group and low Ki-67 expression group in newly diagnosed AML patients [(780±110) d vs. (788±118) d, P=0.927]. Conclusions The proliferation of blast cells in AML patients is lower than that in healthy controls. Detecting the level of Ki-67 may provide a reference for choosing the cell cycle specific chemotherapy drugs in clinical practice. Monitoring Ki-67 during AML process contributes to monitoring disease progression and predicting recurrence.

Objective To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on myelin phagocytosis during Wallerian degeneration after early peripheral nerve injury in rats.Methods Fifty male Wistar rats were recruited and randomly divided into LPS group(n=20),model group(n=20) and sham group(n=10).The right sciatic nerves of rats in the LPS and model groups were cut and sutured end-to-end,while the sciatic nerve of sham group rats were only exposed.Immediately after surgery,the rats in LPS group were given microinjections of LPS(2 g/L) into the surgical site in a final volume of 1 μL,and the rats in other two groups were injected with the same volume of saline.The sciatic nerves were taken at 1.5 h,24 h and 7d after surgery.Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the dynamic expressions of IL-1β mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA.Immunofluorescence staining was used to test the expression of CD68+ macrophages in sciatic nerves.HE staining was used to observe the pathological alterations of sciatic nerves tissue.ORO staining was used to observe sciatic nerves demyelination.LFB staining was used to detect the sciatic nerves myelin.Sciatic function index was used to evaluate the recovery of motor function in rats.Results Compared with the model group,qRT-PCR indicated that the expression of IL-1β and MCP-1 from LPS group were increased at 1.5 h and 24 h after surgery(P<0.001, P<0.001),respectively.Compared with the model group,the expression of CD68+ cells was increased significantly at 7th day after surgery(P<0.05).Histological examination showed that compared with the model group,a lot of inflammatory cells and Schwann cells were found at sciatic nerve stump in the LPS group at 7th day after operation.ORO staining showed that the degree of demyelination in the LPS group was higher than that in the model group.LFB staining showed that the sciatic nerve stump demyelination appeared in both model group and the LPS group at 7th day after operation,but compared with the model group,myelin debris clearance in the LPS group was significantly accelerated(P<0.05).Finally,compared with the model group,the SFI in the LPS group was increased significantly at 20 d after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusions The results confirm that LPS is possible to manipulate the innate immune response to accelerate myelin clearance during Wallerian degeneration after early peripheral nerve injury in rats.

Medicinal plants and microorganisms show a close relationship,both of which are from the plantmicroorganism symbiont system and interact mutually.Microorganisms are closely related to the growth,reproduction and secondary metabolic activities of medicinal plants.The symbiotic relationship between medicinal plants and microbes is the hotspot of medicinal plants in recent years.This paper summarized the relationship between medicinal plants and microorganisms.It reviewed the effects of medicinal plant species and root exudates on the microbial community composition and diversity,the effects of medicinal plant rhizosphere microbes on plant growth,the specificity of microorganism and the molecular recognition mechanism of medicinal plants and microorganisms.This article also provided the basis for excavation and utilization of the mechanism of interaction between medicinal plants and microorganisms,which were significance for the effective use of microbial growth mechanism to improve the stress resistance of medicinal plants,to increase the yield and to improve the quality of medicinal plants.