Objective:To investigate the expression of vitamin D receptor(VDR)in biliary epithelial cells of children with biliary atresia(BA)and explore the correlation between VDR epression levels and clinical pathological prognosis.Methods:A total of 48 BA patients who underwent Kasai surgery in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2017 to December 2020 with confirmed pathological results were selected as the study subjects.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of VDR in biliary epithelial cells, and Masson staining was used to determine the degree of liver tissue fibrosis.Based on the VDR expression levels, the 48 BA patients were divided into the significantly low VDR expression group(30 cases)and the normal/high expression group(18 cases).Laboratory testing results within 1 week before Kasai surgery and liver shear wave elastography(SWE)data were collected for all patients.Follow-up was conducted for a period of 0 to 60 months after Kasai surgery or liver transplantation, meanwhile, the occurrence of refractory cholangitis and auto-liver survival time were collected.Results:There was a negative correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and SWE value in children with BA( r=-0.805, P<0.01).In comparison between the two groups, the significantly low VDR expression group had higher SWE values[(20.57±1.28)kPa vs.(18.02±1.41)kPa, P<0.05], higher liver injury biochemical indicators[ALT(215.8±24.7)U/L vs.(182.6±21.2)U/L, P=0.021; AST(165.4±22.3)U/L vs.(139.6±21.4)U/L, P=0.014], a higher frequency of post-Kasai surgery refractory cholangitis(60.00% vs.22.22%, P=0.037), and a shorter median autologous liver survival time(27.00 months vs.36.00 months, P=0.032)than those in the normal/high expression group. Conclusion:The significant decrease in VDR expression in biliary epithelial cells may serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in BA.

Objective:To explore the possible role and clinical significance of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (IBDECs) in biliary atresia (BA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on expression level of VDR in IBDECs of 38 BA children who underwent Kasai surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University and the Children′s Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2019.Expression level of VDR in IBDECs of 38 children with BA was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and that in children with choledochal cysts was detected as negative control.Masson staining was performed to examine the degree of liver fibrosis.The correlation between the expression level of VDR in IBDECs of children with BA, and the degree of liver fibrosis during operation, the incidence of refractory cholangitis after Kasai portoenterostomy and the survival time of autologous liver was analyzed.Human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (HiBECs) were induced with dsRNA virus infection by polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid [Poly(I∶C)] in vitro, followed by detection of cell activity, apoptosis and VDR level.The differences between 2 independent groups were analyzed using Student t test.The relationship between the expression of VDR and clinicopathologic characteristics was conducted with χ2 test or Fisher′ s test.The Kaplan- Meier survival curve was used to analyze the differences in the survival time of autologous liver after Kasai in BA children with different VDR expression levels. Results:A total of 38 children with BA were included in this study.Among them, 23 cases showed no significant decrease of VDR protein level in IBDECs, and 15 cases showed a significant decrease in IBDECs.Compared with BA children without a significant decrease in VDR level in IBDECs, much severer liver fibrosis ( P<0.001) and significantly higher incidence of refractory cholangitis after Kasai procedure ( P=0.017) were detected in those with a significant decrease in VDR level.Compared with the control group, BA children with significantly lower VDR expression levels in HiBECs had a shorter autologous liver survival time ( P=0.030). Poly (I∶C) increased the apoptotic rate of HiBECs ( P<0.000 1) and decreased cell activity of HiBECs ( P<0.05), which significantly stimulated the secretion of inflammatory factors (interferon, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6) in the culture medium of HiBECs ( P<0.001). Poly (I∶C) significantly decreased the expression level of VDR protein in HiBECs ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Poly (I∶C) causes HiBECs damage and decreases VDR expression level in HiBECs of BA children, and the significantly decreased VDR expression level in IBDECs may be a marker of poor prognosis of BA.

To observe the changes in serum interleukin-22 (IL-22) level and its correlation with other clinical indexes in patients with essential hypertension and hypertensive renal damage, and to investigate its effects and clinical significance.
 Methods: A total of 97 essential hypertension (EH) patients and 40 healthy control were enrolled in this study. The EH patients were divided into a simple hypertension (SH) group (n=45) and a hypertensive renal damage (HRD) group (n=52) according to 24 h urinary protein (24 h-UPRO) level. Basic clinical data were collected; serum IL-22 level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the proportion of Th22 cells in peripheral blood was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM); and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration was measured by immune turbidimetry. Correlation analysis was applied between serum IL-22 level and other indexes.
 Results: Serum IL-22 level and Th22 cell proportion in patients with hypertension were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (all P<0.01). Compared with the SH group, serum IL-22 level and Th22 cell proportion were significantly elevated in the HRD group (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). Bivariate linear correlation analysis revealed that serum IL-22 level was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and hsCRP (r=0.367, P<0.01; r=0.402, P<0.01; r=0.329, P<0.05); there was also a positive correlation between serum IL-22 concentration and Th22 cell proportion (r=0.478, P<0.01) in the SH group. Serum IL-22 level was positively correlated with 24 h-UPRO level (r=0.318, P<0.05) in the HRD group.
 Conclusion: Serum IL-22 level and peripheral blood Th22 cells are significantly increased in the HRD group compared with the SH group. Serum IL-22 level is closely correlated with extent of hypertensive renal damage, indicating that serum IL-22 level may involve in the pathogenesis of hypertensive renal damage.
Blood Pressure ; C-Reactive Protein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Interleukins

Objective To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for cervical abscess.Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with cervical abscess treated by percutaneous puncture and catheterization under ultrasound guidance were analyzed retrospectively.Results All of the 18 patients were successfully treated on one round.None of the 18 patients was nerve injury,main vessels injury or dead during the operation.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of neck abscess is safe and effective,and has high clinical application value.

Objective To explore effect of health management on blood lipid level and carotid artery plaque in patients with carotid artery stenosis.Methods One hundred and eighty patients with carotid artery stenosis were dived divided into health management group (90 cases) and routine treatment group (90 cases).All the patients took routine treatment, and the health management were given for 12 months continuously in health management group.The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were tested, the carotid artery was checked by carotid artery color Doppler flow imaging before and at 6 months, 12 months after treatment.Results The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C in health management group and routine treatment group at 6 and 12 months after treatment were significantly decreased than those before the treatment , and the level of HDL-C were significantly increased (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C before and at 6 months between the two groups (all P>0.05).The levels of TC, TG and LDL-C at 12 months after treatment in health management group were significantly decreased than those in routine treatment group, and the level of HDL-C was significantly increased (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Crouse plaque integral in health management group and routine treatment group between before and at 6 months after treatment (all P>0.05).The Crouse plaque integral at 12 months after treatment in health management group and routine treatment group were significantly decreased than those before the treatment (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Crouse plaque integral before and at 6 months after treatment between the two groups (all P>0.05).Crouse plaque integral at 12 months after treatment in health management group was significantly decreased than that in routine treatment group (P<0.05).Conclusion Long-term health management can decreased the level of serum lipid level and inflammation, and improve the situation of carotid artery plaque.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on cellular apoptosis and Sirt1 expression in HK2 cells followed by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods:HK2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of CS (10,20,40,80,160,320 mg/L) for 24 hours,and the optimal concentration of CS was selected by measuring cell proliferation.The confluent HK2 cells were incubated with 0.01 μmol/L antimycin A for 2 hours to induce ischemia in vitro,and then the reperfusion was achieved by incubating cells with glucose-replete complete growth medium for 24 hours.HK2 cells were divided into 4 groups:a control group,an I/R group,an I/R+CS (160 mg/L) group,and an I/R+CS (160 mg/L)+Sirtinol (25 μtmol/L) group.Twenty-four hours later,total RNA and protein were collected.The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay;the mRNA and protein expression of Sirtl and the cleaved caspase-3 were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.The cellular apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry.Results:Certain concentrations (10-160 mg/L) of CS did not show effect on the proliferation of HK2 cells (P＞0.05),while 320 mg/L of CS inhibited cell proliferation significantly (P＜0.01);compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein expressions of Sirtl and the cleaved caspase-3 in the I/R group were up-regulated (P＜0.01) and the apoptosis rate was extremely high;compared with the I/R group,CS significantly up-regulated Sirt1 mRNA and protein expression (P＜0.01) while down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels (P＜0.01),and reduced apoptosis rate (P＜0.05).The effects of CS were blocked in the presence of sirtinol,an inhibitor of CS.Conclusion:CS protects HK2 cells from I/R injury through activation of Sirt 1 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the status of vascular access in hemodialysis patients in our center.Methods:The general information of hemodialysis patients and types and complications of vascular access at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April 2015 to April 2016,were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among 258 prevalent patients,87.60％ of them had arteriovenous fistula (AVF),while 12.40％ showed tunneled cuffed catheter.Of the 61 incident patients,80.33％ of them initiated dialysis with a non-tunneled and non-cuffed catheter,8.19％ with an AVF,9.84％ with a tunneled cuffed catheter,and 1.64％ with needle puncture.The types of AVF access included 76.55％ of wrist radiocephalic fistula,7.08％ of mid-forearm cephalic fistula,11.06％ of elbow brachiocephalic fistula,and 5.31％ of antecubital fistula and transposed basilic fistula.Seventy-seven (34.07％) patients with AVF suffered complications and wherein aneurysms accounted for 24.34％.Conclusion:In maintenance hemodialysis patients,autologous AVF is the prevalent vascular access.In the beginners for dialysis,non-tunneled and non-cuffed catheter are their choice.Additional efforts and incentives may be necessary to improve vascular access during the initiation ofhemodialysis.

OBJECTIVETo study postoperative anorectal dynamic change in ultra-low rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic intersphincteric resection.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 26 ultra-low rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic intersphincteric resection in our department from January 2007 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed (observation group). Thirty rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection by the same surgical team in the same period from the Medical Record Room were randomly extracted as control group. The observation indexes included preoperative and postoperative anal resting pressure(ARP), anal maximum squeeze pressure (AMSP), rectal maximum tolerable volume (RMTV), rectal anal inhibition reflex (RAIR) and Wexner anal function scores (0 means normal).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in clinical baseline data between the two groups(all P>0.05), except the distance from lower edge of tumor to dentate line [(2.9±0.4) cm in observation group vs. (5.0±0.5) cm in control group, P=0.000]. There were no differences in preoperative anorectal manometry and Wexner anal function score between two groups (all P>0.05). The average follow-up time in observation group and control group was 14.5 months and 14.0 months respectively. Three months after operation, significant differences between observation group and control group (all P=0.000) were as follows: defecation frequency [(6.0±1.5) times/day vs. (2.5±1.0) times/day], Wexner anal function score(5.0±0.9 vs. 2.9±1.2), ARP [(32.0±6.7) mmHg vs. (45.0±8.2) mmHg], AMSP [(90.1±6.9) mmHg vs. (110.0±7.5) mmHg], RMTV [(61.0±7.2) ml vs. (91.1±7.5) ml] and positive rate of RAIR [11.5%(3/26) vs. 66.7%(20/30)]. One year after surgery, there were no significant differences in defecation frequency, Wexner anal function scores, ARP, AMSP and RMTV between the two groups (all P>0.05), however the difference in positive rate of RAIR was still significant[38.5%(10/26) vs. 93.3%(28/30), P=0.000].

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic intersphincteric resection for ultra- low rectal cancer can achieve satisfactory anorectal dynamic effect.

Aged ; Anal Canal ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To compare the conjoint effect of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) with single EN or PN on immune function, nutritional status, complications and clinical outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). Methods A prospective randomized control trial was carried out from January 2009 to May 2012 in Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Patients of STBI who met the enrolment criteria (Glasgow Coma Scale score 6~8; Nutritional Risk Screening ≥3) were randomly divided into 3 groups and were admi- nistrated EN, PN or EN+PN treatments respectively. The indexes of nutritional status, immune function, complications and clinical outcomes were examined and compared statistically. Results There were 120 patients enrolled in the study, with 40 pationts in each group. In EN+PN group, T lymthocyte subsets CD3+%, CD4+%, ratio of CD3+/CD25+, ratio of CD4+/CD8+, the plasma levels of IgA, IgM, and IgG at 20 days after nutritional treatment were significantly increased compared to the baseline(t=4.32-30.00, P<0.01), and they were significantly higher than those of PN group (t=2.44-14.70; P<0.05,or P<0.01) with exception of CD4+/CD8+, higher than those of EN group (t=2.49-13.31, P<0.05, or P<0.01) with exceptions of CD3+/CD25+, CD4+/CD8+, IgG and IgM. For the nutritional status, the serum total protein, albumin, prealbumin and hemoglobin were significantly higher in the EN (t=5.87-11.91; P<0.01) and EN+PN groups (t=6.12-13.12; P<0.01) than those in PN group after nutrition treatment. The serum prealbumin was higher in EN+PN group than that in EN group (t=2.08; P<0.05). Compared to the PN group, the complication occurrence rates of EN+PN group were significantly lower in stress ulcer (22.5% vs. 47.5%; χ= 8.24, P<0.01), intracranial infection (12.5% vs 32.5%;χ= 6.88, P<0.01) and pyemia (25.0% vs. 47.5%; χ= 6.57, P<0.05). Compared to the EN group, the complication occurrence rates of EN+PN group were significantly lower in aspirated pneumonia (27.5% vs. 50.0%; χ= 6.39, P<0.05), hypoproteinemia (17.5% vs. 55.0%; χ= 18.26, P<0.01) and diarrhea (20.0% vs. 60.0%; χ= 20.00, P<0.01). The EN+PN group also had significant less length of stay in NICU (t=2.51, 4.82; P<0.05, P<0.01), number of patients receiving assisted mechanical ventilation (χ= 6.08, 12.88; P<0.05, P<0.01) and its durations (t=3.41, 9.08; P<0.05, P<0.01), and the death rate (χ=7.50, 16.37; P<0.05, P<0.01) than those of EN or PN group. Conclusion Early EN+PN treatment could promote the recovery of the immune function, enhance nutritional status, decrease complications and improve the clinical outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Adult ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; immunology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:Previous experiments have prepared shape memory polymer based on D,L-poly(lactic acid). According to domestic technical requirements for biological y evaluating biomaterials and medical equipments, tissue-engineered grafts must be subjected to preclinical experiment for biosecurity and cytocompatibility evaluation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the biosecurity of the shape memory polymer based on D,L-poly(lactic acid).
METHODS:(1) Bacterial endotoxin test:polymer extract, endotoxin working standard solution and checking
standard water were added into limulus reagent, respectively. (2) Sensitization test:Polymer extract+Freund’s complete adjuvant+physiological saline and Freund’s complete adjuvant+physiological saline were injected into the scapula of Kunming mice. After induction by intradermal injection, local induction and excitation, stimulate skin erythema and edema degree were observed in animals. (3) Acute toxicity test:Kunming mice received intraperitoneal injection of 100%, 50%, 25%polymer leaching solution and physiological saline, respectively. (4) 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay for cel proliferation:The direct method was that human umbilical cord vascular endothelial cel s were inoculated onto the polymer film, lactic acid and glass, respectively;the indirect method was that human umbilical cord vascular endothelial cel s were inoculated into the polymer leaching solution, acrylamide solution and 1640 culture solution.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This shape memory polymer based on D,L-poly(lactic acid) is free of bacterial contamination in compliance with the biosecurity standards, and it has no al ergenic and toxicity but has good cytocompatibility.