Objective:To explore the application of an automatic slide-dropping instrument in bone marrow chromosomal karyotyping.Methods:The effects of manual and automatic dropping methods under different environmental humidity were retrospectively analyzed, and the repeatability of the automatic dropping method was analyzed.Results:No statistical difference was found between the results of automatic and manual dropping methods under the optimum ambient humidity and high humidity ( P>0.05). At low humidity, there was a statistical difference between the two methods ( P<0.05). With regard to the repeatability, the coefficient of variations of the automatic dropping method for the number of split phases, the rate of good dispersion and the rate of overlap were all lower than those of the manual dropping method. A statistical difference was also found in the number of split phases ( P<0.05) but not in the discrete excellent rate and overlapping rate between the two methods ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Better effect can be obtained by the automatic dropping instrument. It is suggested to gradually replace manual work with machine.

Atrial fibrillation(AF)is the most common cardiac arrhythmia.Many medical conditions,including hypertension,diabetes,obesity,sleep apnea,and heart failure(HF),increase the risk for AF.Car-diomyocytes have unique metabolic characteristics to maintain adenosine triphosphate production.Significant changes occur in myocardial metabolism in AF.Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1 RAs)have been used to control blood glucose fluctuations and weight in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and obesity.GLP-1 RAs have also been shown to reduce oxidative stress,inflammation,autonomic nervous system modulation,and mitochondrial function.This article reviews the changes in metabolic characteristics in cardiomyocytes in AF.Although the clinical trial outcomes are unsatisfactory,the findings demonstrate that GLP-1 RAs can improve myocardial metabolism in the presence of various risk factors,lowering the incidence of AF.

Objective To investigate the effects of Yishen Jiangu Pills on the expressions of AMPK/Cyclin Y/CDK16 pathway and autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins in cartilage tissue of rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA);To discuss its mechanism for the treatment of KOA.Methods Totally 60 2-month-old SD rats were selected and randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group,agonist group,and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the sham-operation group,each group underwent medial meniscectomy and cruciate ligamentotomy to establish the KOA rat model,and the corresponding interventions were given for 14 d.Lequesne MG score was used to evaluate rat behavior,morphology of cartilage tissue was observed by HE and Safranin O-fixed green staining,and Mankin score was performed,Western blot was performed to detect expression of AMPK/Cyclin Y/CDK16 pathway proteins and autophagy proteins such as ULK-1,Beclin-1,LC3B,p62 and apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,Caspase-9 in cartilage tissue,and autophagosome were observed using transmission electron microscopy.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,Lequesne MG score significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01),there was a significant defect in the surface layer of cartilage,thinning of the cartilage layer,disordered arrangement and irregular morphology of chondrocytes,and a significant increase in Mankin score(P<0.01),the expressions of AMPK,Cyclin Y,CDK16,ULK1,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ and Bcl-2 protein in cartilage tissue decreased,while the expressions of p62,Bax,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the Lequesne MG scores of rats in the agonist group and TCM high-dosage group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the TCM high-dosage group showed smoother cartilage surface,more regular arrangement of chondrocytes,basic integrity of cartilage layer structure,weakened cartilage tissue proliferation,and significantly decreased Mankin score(P<0.01),the expressions of AMPK,Cyclin Y,CDK16,ULK1,Beclin-1,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ and Bcl-2 protein in cartilage tissue of rats in the agonist group and TCM medium-and high-dosage groups significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expressions of p62,Bax,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yishen Jiangu Pills may promote chondrocyte autophagy and inhibit cell apoptosis by activating the AMPK/Cyclin Y/CDK16 pathway in cartilage tissue of KOA model rats,thus reduce cartilage damage.

Objective:To evaluate the application value of patient-based real-time quality control (PBRTQC) algorithms in intralaboratory comparison between various hematology analyzers.Method:From April 1 st 2020 to March 31 th 2021, data of white blood cell (WBC) counts and daily comparison results of fresh venous blood, measured by five hematology analyzers, were collected at the Department of Laboratory Medicine in Hebei Children′s Hospital. First, the professional intelligent PBRTQC software system was applied to conduct the parameter setting, program establishment, and performance verification. Three concentration ranges of WBC were selected, low concentration (2.5-4.5)×10 9/L, medium concentration (6.0-8.0)×10 9/L and high concentration (12.0-14.0)×10 9/L for the comparison. Next, WBC counts were calculated with both of the EWMA and median methods, the results were then analyzed by PBRTQC using the module of"intralaboratory comparison of hematology analyzers". Finally, bias of intralaboratory comparison among various hematology analyzers analyzed by means of EWMA and daily comparison results of fresh venous blood were compared. Based on the standard of WS/T 406-2012,allowable error ±7.50% in WBC counts was set as the relative bias standard among different instruments. Results:(1) A total of 38 313 sample results were included, there were 70 warning results out of these samples based on the EWMA quality control method established on the data of patients with white blood cell count in our laboratory, with an early warning rate of 0.183‰, a probability of error detection of 100%, and a probability of false loss of control of 0. EWMA quality control efficiency met the quality objectives. (2) In the comparison monitoring of the results of 5 blood cell analyzers at high concentrations, the coincidence rate between EWMA and median method were both 100% (46/46) in weekly and monthly comparison, and EWMA could maintain a relatively stable monitoring efficiency in daily comparison. (3) In the selected natural month, the consistency rate between EWMA method and fresh blood comparison method was 95.24% (20/21).Conclusion:PBRTQC can be used as a valuable supplementary tool of IQC to continuously and effectively monitor the consistency of data derived from intralaboratory hematology analyzers with different bands and types, which can not only reduce the risk of quality and operating costs, but also improve the efficiency of laboratory management.

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM)is a hereditary cardiac disorder characterized primarily by septal hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.Traditional therapeutic modalities,such as medications and surgeries,do not yield satisfactory outcomes in a subset of patients.The advancements have been made in novel treatments,including new drugs and percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation(PIMSRA),still need further observation to obtain long-term efficacy and safety.In recent years,stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)has emerged as an innovative non-invasive approach for treating HOCM.Studies indicate that SBRT allows for precise targeting of the hypertrophied septal region,causing both direct and indirect damage to targeted myocardial cells.This can alleviate left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and myocardial ischemia,fulfilling the therapeutic objective.For those with HOCM who neither respond well to medications nor are surgical candidates,SBRT offers a potential new therapeutic alternative.However,the latent risks of radiation therapy persist,such as the onset of radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD).The preliminary investigations guarantee the safety and feasibility of SBRT in HOCM management,an increased volume of clinical studies and prolonged follow-up data are essential to evaluate its real efficacy and potential hazards.In addition,research regarding the therapeutic mechanisms of SBRT for HOCM,optimal dosages and treatment durations,indications and contraindications,prevention of complications,and enhancing the precision of radiation therapy,still needs to be further exploration,to determine the best therapeutic strategies.

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a common comorbidity in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS).As a key item of the American Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score, it has a vital impact on the clinical prognosis of traditional thoracic surgery. T2DM has an adverse effect on the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, studies have shown that T2DM are associated with myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling, decreased left ventricular function, and worsening heart failure symptoms in the AS patients. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an interventional method to replace the aortic valve has better safety for middle and high risk patients in surgery, but the impact of T2DM on the clinical outcome of TAVR in AS patients is not clear.By analyzing the clinical and image characteristics of patients with AS and T2DM who received TAVR treatment, so as to explore the effect of T2DM on the perioperative complications and prognosis of TAVR. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with severe AS, who underwent TAVR treatment and were followed up for more than 1 month, were selectedin the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to December 2020.Among them, 5 patients who were treated with TAVR due to simple severe aortic regurgitation were not included, therefore a total of 95 patients with severe aortic stenosis were enrolled in this study.The age of the patients was (72.7±4.8) years old, and there were 58 males (61.1%), and the patients with moderate or above aortic regurgitation had 30 cases (31.6%). The patients were divided into a diabetic group and a non-diabetic group according to whether they were combined with T2DM.There was no statistical difference in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), STS score, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function classification between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The primary end point was defined as a composite event consisting of all-cause death and stroke one month after surgery, and the secondary end point was defined as TAVR-related complications immediately after surgery and one month after surgery.The preoperative clinical data, cardiac ultrasound data, CT data, postoperative medication and the incidence of each endpoint event were compared between the 2 groups.The predictive model of adverse events was constructed by single factor and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the non-diabetic group, the diabetic group had high blood pressure and chronic renal insufficiency.There was no significant difference in preoperative ultrasound echocardiography between the 2 groups. Preoperative CT evaluation found that the anatomical structure of the aortic root in the diabetic group was smaller than that in the non-diabetic group, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of bicuspid aortic valve between the 2 groups (all P<0.05). In terms of postoperative medication, the use of statins in the diabetes group was significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic group. In the diabetes group, 6 patients (37.5%) received insulin therapy, and 9 patients (56.3%) received oral medication alone.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the all-cause death and stroke compound events was increased in the diabetes group in 30 days after TAVR (OR=6.86; 95% CI: 2.14 to 21.79; P<0.01). Heart disease (OR=2.80; 95% CI: 0.99 to 7.88; P<0.05) and chronic renal insufficiency (OR=3.75; 95% CI: 1.24 to 11.34; P<0.05) were also risk factors for all-cause death and stroke compound events.In a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), total calcification score, ejection fraction, and degree of aortic regurgitation, T2DM was still a risk factor for all-cause death and stroke compound events in 30 days after TAVR (OR=12.68; 95% CI: 1.76 to 91.41; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS T2DM is a risk factor for short-term poor prognosis in patients with symptomatic severe AS after TAVR treatment. T2DM should play an important role in the future construction of the TAVR surgical risk assessment system, but the conclusions still need to be further verified by long-term follow-up of large-scale clinical studies.
Aged ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications* ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stroke ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; United States

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of quercetin in regulating chondrocyte extracellular matrix metabolism and inflammatory response in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） from the perspective of autophagy. MethodChondrocytes were extracted and cultured， and the primary cells were identified by immunofluorescence staining with collagen Ⅱ. The chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） were divided into a control group （without any treatment）， a model group （10 mg·L^-1 LPS treatment for 48 h）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose quercetin group （10 mg·L^-1 LPS treatment for 48 h combined with 50， 100， and 150 mmol·L^-1 quercetin for 24 h）. The inhibitory effects of LPS （2.5， 5， 7.5， 10， 12.5 mg·L^-1） on the proliferation of chondrocytes for different periods （24， 48， 72 h） were detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. The effects of quercetin （50， 100， 150， 200 mmol·L^-1） on the LPS-induced proliferation of chondrocytes for different periods （12， 24， and 48 h） were investigated. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ） and ubiquitin-binding protein p62 was detected by Western blot. LPS-induced chondrocytes were treated with 3-methyladenine （3-MA）. The resultant cells were divided into a control group （without any treatment）， a model group （10 mg·L^-1 LPS）， a quercetin group （model group + 100 mmol·L^-1 quercetin）， a 3-MA group （model group + 100 μmol·L^-1 3-MA）， and a 3-MA + quercetin group （model group + 100 μmol·L^-1 3-MA + 100 mmol·L^-1 quercetin， specifically， LPS for 48 h， 3-MA for 2 h， and then quercetin for 24 h）. The content of interleukin （IL）-1β and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 （MMP-13） and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP1） was detected by Western blot. ResultCollagen Ⅱ immunofluorescence staining showed that the extracted cells were consistent with the characteristics of chondrocytes. As revealed by CCK-8， the optimum concentration of LPS was 10 mg·L^-1 with an action time of 48 h， and the optimum concentration of quercetin was 100 mmol·L^-1 with an action time of 24 h. Western blot results showed that compared with the control group， the model group showed decreased expression of LC3Ⅱ （P<0.01） and increased expression of p62 （P<0.01）. The expression of LC3Ⅱ in the quercetin groups was higher than that in the control group （P<0.01）， especially in the medium-dose quercetin group. The p62 expression in the quercetin groups was lower than that in the control group （P<0.01）， especially in the medium-dose quercetin group. Compared with the control group， the model group showed increased expression of MMP-13 （P<0.05） and decreased expression of TIMP1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the quercetin groups and the 3-MA + quercetin group showed decreased expression of MMP-13 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， especially the quercetin groups， and increased expression of TIMP1 （P<0.01）， especially the quercetin groups. Morphological changes in chondrocytes under the inverted microscope showed that quercetin could restore the morphology of damaged chondrocytes. CCK-8 showed that compared with the control group， the model group showed inhibited chondrocyte proliferation （P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， the quercetin groups and the 3-MA + quercetin group showed promoted chondrocyte proliferation （P<0.01）， especially the quercetin groups. ELISA results showed that IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the model group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）， and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the quercetin groups and the 3-MA + quercetin group were lower than those in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the decrease in the quercetin groups was the most significant. ConclusionQuercetin can promote LPS-induced chondrocyte proliferation， regulate chondrocyte extracellular matrix synthesis and metabolic balance， inhibit the inflammatory response， and restore chondrocyte function. The mechanism may be related to the activation of autophagy by quercetin.

Objective:To verify the revised method of cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry for iodide index of "Standard Examination Methods for Drinking Water-Nonmetal Parameters" (GB/T 5750.5-2006).Methods:From July to September 2019, the Laboratory of Department for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control of Qinghai Institute for Disease Prevention and Control verified the revised method (determination of iodide in drinking water by cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry) of cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry (hereinafter referred to as original method) in "Standard Examination Methods for Drinking Water-Nonmetal Parameters" (GB/T 5750.5-2006). The revised method was verified according to the requirements of "Standard Examination Methods for Drinking Water-Water Analysis Quality Control" (GB/T 5750.3-2006), including standard curve, detection limit, precision, accuracy and actual sample determination.Results:The linear range of the revised method was 0 - 20.0 μg/L, the correlation coefficient was - 0.999 4 - 0.999 8, and the detection limit was 0.231 μg/L. The relative standard deviation ( RSD) of low, medium and high iodine water samples of 6 times detection ranged from 1.4% to 9.6%, and the recoveries of low and medium water samples ranged from 89.0% to 108.0%. The detection results of national first-class reference materials for iodine composition analysis in water were within the range of standard value ± uncertainty. There was no significant difference in the test of results of 12 tap water samples between the revised method and the original standard method ( t = - 0.075, P > 0.05). Conclusion:The revised method has a good linear relationship of standard curve, high precision and accuracy, and good reproducibility, is simple and easy to operate, and is suitable for promotion and application.

Objective:To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC), and to explore the all-exon mutations, microsatellite stability and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in MTSCC cases.Methods:The data of 5 patients with MTSCC that were submitted to the Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China from January 2008 to May 2020, were reviewed and analyzed. The whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted in all patients, while 3 of them were subject to the analyses of microsatellite stability and TMB.Results:Among the 5 patients, 3 were males and 2 were females. They were 37-76 years old. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 3.5-6.0 cm. The borders of the tumors were well defined. Microscopically, MTSCC was characterized by tubular structure, spindle cell and mucinous stroma, and the nuclear grade of tumor cells was overall low. The average follow-up was 15 months, and no recurrence or metastasis was found. Immunohistochemistry showed that all 5 cases were positive for broad-spectrum cytokeratin (CKpan), cytokeratin (CK)7, CK19, vimentin, PAX8, and P504s (varying expression levels), and the Ki-67 positive index was low. The WES of 5 cases showed that NF2 and PTPN14 exhibited higher mutation rates, which were 3/5 and 2/5, respectively. The microsatellite stability analysis indicated that the 3 cases were all microsatellite stable, and the TMB analysis showed that the TMB of the 3 cases were all <9 mut/Mb.Conclusions:MTSCC is a unique, low-grade pleomorphic kidney tumor. The WES analyses suggest that NF2 and PTPN14 have a higher mutation rate, indicating that the occurrence and development of MTSCC may be closely related to the Hippo pathway. The analysis of microsatellite stability indicates that there is no significant relationship between microsatellite stability and MTSCC, and the TMB analysis suggests that MTSCC patients may not benefit from immunotherapy.

Objective To investigate biomechanical characteristics of the modified memory alloy internal fixator for separation of pubic symphysis. Methods The model of pubic symphysis separation injury was established based on 10 pelvic specimens. The control group was fixed with the dynamic compression plate after reduction, and the experimental group was fixed with the modified memory alloy internal fixator for separation of pubic symphysis after reduction. The biomechanical stability for two kinds of internal fixation was compared. Results There were no loosening and fracture of internal fixation in both groups. The displacement of pubic symphysis in horizontal, anterio-posterior and vertical direction in the experimental group was obviously reduced compared with the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Compared with the dynamic compression plate, the modified memory alloy internal fixator for separation of pubic symphysis shows better resistance to the tensile force against horizontal and anterio-posterior direction, as well as better resistance to the vertical shear force.