Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of different prone position ventilation (PPV) on patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) at high altitude.Methods:The severe ARDS patients who met the Berlin standard admitted to the department of intensive care unit (ICU) of Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were enrolled. The patients with classic PPV treatment (i.e. alternate prone supine position, about 16 hours per day) were included in the discontinuous PPV group; the patients with modified PPV treatment (i.e. alternate left and right prone positions 20°-30°, every 4 hours and continuous treatment for 24 hours per day) were included in the continuous PPV group. The oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), mechanics of breathing, ventilator parameters before treatment and 72 hours after treatment, and mechanical ventilation time, the length of ICU stay, and related complications between the two groups were analyzed. Results:Eighteen cases were treated with continuous PPV and 20 cases were treated with discontinuous PPV. There were no significant differences in gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), PaO 2/FiO 2, lung compliance, driving pressure (ΔP) and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) before treatment between the two groups. Compared with before treatment, PaO 2/FiO 2 in discontinuous PPV group and continuous PPV group was increased significantly after 72-hour treatment [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 99.7±15.4 vs. 55.5±6.3, 121.8±25.3 vs. 55.1±7.1, both P < 0.05], lung compliance was improved significantly (mL/cmH 2O: 36.8±2.4 vs. 28.0±2.0, 43.4±6.7 vs. 27.7±2.1, both P < 0.05), and ΔP was decreased significantly [cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O = 0.098 kPa): 10.5 (10.0, 12.0) vs. 13.0 (12.3, 14.0), 10.0 (8.0, 12.0) vs. 13.0 (12.0, 14.0), both P < 0.05], PEEP was also decreased [cmH 2O: 12 (12, 14) vs. 14 (13, 14), 10 (8, 10) vs. 14 (12, 15), both P < 0.05], and the indexes in continuous PPV group were improved more significantly than those in discontinuous PPV group [PaO 2/FiO 2 (mmHg): 121.8±25.3 vs. 99.7±15.4, lung compliance (mL/cmH 2O): 43.4±6.7 vs. 36.8±2.4, ΔP (cmH 2O): 10.0 (8.0, 12.0) vs. 10.5 (10.0, 12.0), PEEP (cmH 2O): 10 (8, 10) vs. 12 (12, 14), all P < 0.05]. The duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay in the continuous PPV group were significantly shorter than those in the intermittent PPV group [days: 6.0 (5.0, 7.3) vs. 8.0 (7.0, 9.0), 9.7±1.5 vs. 12.1±2.2, both P < 0.01]. During the PPV treatment, there were 3 cases of cheek skin damage and 2 cases of ear skin damage in the continuous PPV group, and 3 cases of facial skin damage in the intermittent PPV group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.321, P = 0.571). All patients were repaired normally after PPV, without adverse consequences. Conclusion:Continuous PPV is more effective than discontinuous PPV in the treatment of severe ARDS patients at high altitude, and the related complications are did not increased in prolonged time of PPV.

Objective:By comparing the clinical outcome of the modified triple tube method and the traditional three-tube method in the treatment of thoracic internal fistula after esophageal cancer surgery, in order to provide a basis for the clinical treatment of thoracic fistula after esophageal cancer surgery.Methods:The traditional three-tube method for the treatment of thoracic fistula after esophageal cancer surgery was the traditional group, and the modified three-tube method was the modified group. There was no spillover of the contrast agent during the above gastrointestinal angiography and the patient could eat normally as the standard of cure. In this study, we collected the data of thoracic fistula patients after esophageal cancer surgery who were treated with two kinds of treatment methods in our hospital in different time period(the traditional group: 10 patients from February 2008 to June 2014; the modified group: 36 patients from January 2012 to December 2019). Retrospective analysis of the two groups of patients in terms of general data(sex, age, etiology and other factors), time to cure and other indicators, compare the pros and cons of these two methods in the treatment of postoperative thoracic fistula.Results:There was no significant difference in general data such as sex, age, and cure time between the two groups, but there was significant difference in the cure time( P<0.01). The average cure time of the modified group was(38.08±11.97) days, which was significantly better than that of the traditional group(95.60 ± 7.79) days. Conclusion:Compared with the traditional three-tube method, the modified three-tube method can significantly shorten the treatment time when treating patients with thoracic fistula after esophageal cancer surgery.

Exposure of airborne particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 lm (PM2.5) is epidemiologically associated with lung dysfunction and respiratory symptoms, including pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether epigenetic mechanisms are involved in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis is currently poorly understood. Herein, using a PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model, we found that PM2.5 exposure leads to aberrant mRNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) gain and loss in fibrotic lung tissues. Moreover, we showed the m5C-mediated regulatory map of gene functions in pulmonary fibrosis after PM2.5 exposure. Several genes act as m5C gain-upregulated factors, probably critical for the development of PM2.5-induced fibrosis in mouse lungs. These genes, including Lcn2, Mmp9, Chi3l1, Adipoq, Atp5j2, Atp5l, Atpif1, Ndufb6, Fgr, Slc11a1, and Tyrobp, are highly related to oxidative stress response, inflammatory responses, and immune system processes. Our study illustrates the first epitranscrip-tomic RNA m5C profile in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis and will be valuable in identifying biomarkers for PM2.5 exposure-related lung pathogenesis with translational potential.

Objective    To explore the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of flail chest. Methods    Flail chest model was eatablished in 12 New Zealand white rabbits after anesthesia and sterile surgery. The paradoxical movement of chest wall was recorded by the biological signal acquisition system, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis, the vital signs were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) and the lung tissue was taken for the pathological analysis at the end of the experiment. The effect of flail chest on the respiratory function of experimental animals was analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing flail chest model. Results    All surgeries were successful without mortality. The operation time was 41.42±7.08 min. Duration of endotracheal intubation was 79.33±12.21 min. Statistical results showed that the pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and base excess (BE) increased; while partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) reduced. Pathological results showed that flail chest not intervented for a long period would lead to organic lesions. Conclusion    The rabbit model of flail chest is feasible, safe, repeatable, easy and simple to handle. The animal is easy to access which is the foundation to study the disease process, recovery procedure and the efficacy after intervention.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of vertebral pedicle screw fixation for lumbar fractures without nerve injury. Methods A total of 100 patients with vertebral fractures from February 2012 to December 2012 in our hospital were researched.According to the order of the patient admitted to the hospital,50 patients from February 2012 to June 2012 were divided into observation group,50 pa-tients from 2012 July to December 2012 were divided into control group.The observation group were treated with vertebral pedicle screw fixa-tion,the control group were treated with a four nail fixation.The therapy and complications between two groups were compared after treatment, and the satisfaction of two groups were investigated.Results There was no significant difference in vertebral anterior height compression rate and Cobb angle between two groups before treatment(t =0.356 9,t =0.633 6,P =0.721 9,P =0.527 8),but after a week of treatment,ver-tebral anterior height compression rate and Cobb angle in observation group was better than those of the control group,the difference was sta-tistically significant(t =2.705 7,t =2.840 2,P =0.008 0,P =0.005 5).After one-year follow-up,there was no significant difference in effi-cacy between two groups(t =0.914 7,t =0.464 6,P =0.362 6,P =0.643 2).The postoperative complication rate of observation group was 4%,compared with 16% of control group,the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.000 0,P =0.045 5).The satisfaction rate of patient in observation group was 96%,compared with 84%of the control group,the difference was statistically significant (u =2.477 9,P =0.013 2). The fracturesof patients in two groups after 12 months were cured,without aggravating circumstances in nerve damage .Conclusion The ver-tebral pedicle screw fixation can effectively correct angular deformity,restore vertebral body height,strengthen the stability of the spine for treatment of patients with lumbar vertebrae without nerve injury.

Objective To explore inhibition of nicotine on apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by monosodium iodoacetate ( MIA) .Methods Rat primary chondrocytes were isolated by enzyme digestion, and the cells were treated with 10 -8 , 10 -7 , 10 -6 , 10 -5 mol/L nicotine for 48 h.The cases were randomly divided into five groups, except for normal group, the other four groups were treated with 4μmol/L MIA 24 h, and three groups were treated 10 -8 , 10 -7 , 10 -6 mol/L nicotine.The viability of chondrocytes was detected by MTT assay.The apoptosis of chondrocytes was examed by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow dual-staining method.The activity of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 ( Caspase 3 ) was measured by spectrophotography method.The activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase ( PI3K)/protein kinase B ( AKT) and the expression of down-stream molecule Bax, Bcl-2 was assayed by western blot.Results 10 -7 , 10 -6 mol/L nicotine increased chondrocytes' viability (P<0.05), 10 -5mol/L nicotine reduced chondrocytes' viability (P<0.05), and 10 -8 mol/L nicotine didn't effect on chondrocytes' viability (P>0.05).10 -8, 10 -7, 10 -6 mol/L nicotine could increase MIA-induced chondrocytes' viability (P<0.05), suppress MIA-induced chondrocytes' apoptosis and the activity of MIA-induced Caspase 3 (P <0.05).Moreover, 10 -7, 10 -6 mol/L nicotine could increase the expression of PI3K and phosphorylation of AKT ( P<0.05) , down-regulate the expression of Bax and up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 in MIA-induced rat chondrocytes ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion These results suggested nicotine could exert anti-apoptosis in MIA-induced rat chondrocytes, which might be related to PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of alar ligament and its extent, and provide the basis forclinical treatment.Methods 3.0 T superconducting MRI was used to scan the alar ligament with high resolution PDWI sequence (Proton density weighted imaging, PDWI)in 109 patients of emergency admissions due to head and neck trauma. Based on imaging features, ligamentous injury was classified into three degrees(Ⅰ to Ⅲ degrees).Patients with Ⅰ degree ligamentous injury were treated conservatively, andⅡtoⅢdegree injury patients were treated with surgery, then follow-up was performed with MRI for the recovery of ligaments and clinical evaluation for symptoms (6 months follow-up period). Results High-resolution PDWI showed 78 patients with no ligament injury.On follow-up, patients recovered well (atlantoaxial joint motor function and clinical symptoms). Thirty one patients had alar ligament injury in varying degrees, of which 18 patients had grade Ⅰ injury, nine patients had degree Ⅱinjury, and four patients had degreeⅢinjury .All gradeⅠinjury patients received conservative treatment. Follow-up of patients showed good recovery, MR revealed the lesions shrank in varying degrees or disappear.
Six gradeⅡinjury patients had surgical treatment, and three received conservative treatment. On follow-up, seven patients had a good recovery, two patients underwent surgical treatment within 3 months after injury and recovered well.Three gradeⅢpatients treated by surgery, and all with good recovery postoperative, and a patient died of respiratory failure. Conclusions High resolution PDWI is an effective tool to evaluate the extent of the alar ligament injury. Grade Ⅰ ligamentous injury patients treated conservatively can achieve good results, GradeⅡandⅢligamentous injury patients should receive surgical treatment early.

Objective To study the effect and related mechanism of celecoxib on tumor necrosis factorrelated apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) induced apoptosis of medullary thyroid cancer TT cell line.Methods MTT assay was used to measure the growth inhibition induced by TRAIL and celecoxib alone and their combination.TT cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flowcytometry.Hochest33258 staining and DNA ladder was used to detect the apoptosis of drug combination on TT cells.Western blot was used detect the protein change of cyclin A,Cdk2,caspase-8,c-FLIP,and RIP.Results ①MTT showed the growth inhibition ratio of TT cell intervened by the combination of TRAIL and celecoxib was 47.53％ ± 1.34％,which was much higher than that intervened by TRAIL(7.75 ％ ± 3.84％)and celecoxib alone.The differences had statistical significance (t test,F =5.234,P ＜0.01);②PI detection found the cells' number in G0/G1 phase in celecoxib group and combination group were increased compared to that in control group and TRAIL group(F =242.694,P ＜ 0.01);③Western blot indicated the expression of Cyclin A and Cdk2 were down regulated,there was no statistic significance;④ The apoptosis morph in nuclus was detected by Hochest33258 staining and showed the karyopycnosis and muclear fragmentation were increased in combination group with the apoptosis rate 24.23％ ± 2.91％,which was much higher than that in TRAIL(5.86％ ± 1.41％) and celecoxib(20％ ± 1.24％) (t test,F =1.824,P ＜0.01),the difference has statistic significance;⑤Western blot illustrated the active schizolysis of casplase-8 was higher and the expression of c-FLIP and RIP was down regulated in combination group.Conclusion celecoxib plays a positive effect on TRAIL-reduced apoptosis of medullary thyroid cancer TT cell line,which may due to the cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase,down-regulation of c-FLIP and RIP and subsequent activation of caspase-8.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the imaging features for chronic whiplash alar ligament injury in elderly patients and to provide an effective diagnostic method for long-term neck pain and headaches due to alar ligament injury in elderly patients. METHODS: A total of 134 elderly patients, who engaged in the work or activities related to whiplash motion and suffered from chronic neck pain, were enrolled for the study. All patients were performed comprehensive health examination (CT, MR, ultrasound and laboratory examination) and high resolution PDWI. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the results of comprehensive health examination: a clear etiology group(CE group, n=96) and an unknown etiology group(UE group, n=38). Th e characteristics of PDWI signal in the ligament were analyzed between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Th e anatomy and signal characteristics of the alar ligament were clearly displayed by high resolution PDWI. Th e alar ligaments were effectively displayed by oblique coronal image. In the CE group, 7 patients (7/96) showed the positive sign of ligament injured, while 21 (21/38) patients showed positive sign of ligament injured in the UE group (P<0.01). Chronic whiplash ligament injury was proved to be the reason for long-term neck pain and headaches in 15.7% patients. CONCLUSION Th e whiplash injury of alar ligament is an important reason for chronic neck pain in elderly patients. High resolution PDWI is an effective method to evaluate the image features of alar ligament and can provide an accurate diagnosis for chronic neck pain and headaches caused by the alar ligament whiplash injury.
Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Chronic Pain ; Fascia ; Humans ; Ligaments ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Whiplash Injuries ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of early enteral nutrition(EEN) on immune response and clinical outcomes after esophageal cancer operation.

METHODSSixty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radical operation between March 2010 and July 2011 were randomly divided into two groups using envelope method: EEN group(n=30, administration of water and enteral nutrition early after operation) and TPN group(n=30, administration of total parenteral nutrition). Two groups both received 7-day nutrition support. Immune indexes(CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+)) and serum nutritional indexes(albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin) were measured before operation and 1-, 3-, and 7-day after operation. The time to first flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, and postoperative complication were recorded.

RESULTSAs compared to TPN group, the time to first flatus was significantly shorter in EEN group[(66.5±7.3) h vs. (75.1±6.8) h, P<0.01], as was hospital stay[(7.8±1.1) d vs. (9.3±1.3) d, P<0.01]. Total hospitalization cost[(36 210±3810) yuan vs. (39 731±4013) yuan, P<0.01] was lower in EEN group as compared to TPN group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complication rate between the two groups[13.3%(3/30) vs. 20.0%(6/30), P>0.05]. The levels of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), albumin, prealbumin and transferrin were significantly higher in EEN group as compared to TPN group on postoperative day 3 and 7(all P<0.05), while CD8(+) was significantly lower in EEN group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEEN can promote early recovery of gastrointestinal function, improve nutritional and immune function, and therefore lead to fast postoperative recovery in esophageal cancer patients.