Objective The evaluation of lymph node properties before lung cancer surgery has a great impact with the choice of surgical methods.Although there are various examination methods,many methods have invasive or accuracy problems.In order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis,we mainly discuss the value of wide-body spectral CT in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes,non-metastatic lymph nodes in lung cancer patients and reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 64 patients with lung cancer and 28 patients with pulmonary inflammatory lesions were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent plain scan and enhanced dual-phase spectral CT scan.The size,density,three-phase IC,NIC,and λHU of lymph nodes in metastatic,non-metastatic and inflammatory reactive hyperplasia groups were measured on 70 keV single-energy images and iodine-based images,respectively.The single-factor variance and Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test were used to analyze and compare the differences.Results The short diameter of metastatic lymph nodes was larger than that of non-metastatic lymph nodes and reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes(P<0.001).The plain scan density of reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes was higher than that of metastatic lymph nodes(P<0.001),but there was no significant difference between non-metastatic lymph nodes(P=0.325).The CT values of reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes in arterial phase and venous phase were higher than those of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes(P<0.05).Except for NIC in arterial phase,IC,NIC and λHU in plain scan,IC and λHU in arterial phase,IC,NIC and λHU in venous phase of reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes were statistically significant(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in IC,NIC and λHU between reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes and non-metastatic lymph nodes in plain scan,arterial phase and venous phase(all P>0.05).Conclusion The quantitative and spectral curve slope of iodine in mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes of lung cancer were basically lower than those in reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes.The quantitative parameters of spectral CT had certain diagnostic efficacy in differentiating metastatic lymph nodes and reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes,while the spectral parameters of non-metastatic lymph nodes and reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes were not statistically significant.

Objective:To investigate the effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A single group pre- and post-experimental design was conducted, the patients with Kashin-Beck disease were selected as the subjects in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province; and treated with oral administration of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules (12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day) for a period of 1 month. The improvement of joint function was evaluated using the joint dysfunction index scoring method before and after treatment. Morning stool samples of patients were collected and the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed before and after treatment using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Results:A total of 87 patients with Kashin-Beck disease were included, including 44 males and 43 females; the age was (60.38 ± 7.12) years old, and the body mass index was (23.67 ± 3.59) kg/m 2. The comprehensive scores of joint dysfunction index for patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment were (7.27 ± 2.05) and (5.86 ± 2.01) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.88, P < 0.001). The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that there were statistically significant differences in the alpha diversity (chao1, observed species index) and beta diversity of gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment ( Z = - 5.08, - 5.03, R = 0.09, P < 0.001). In the distribution of gut microbiota, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, with relative abundances of 50.21% and 52.09% before and after treatment, respectively; the Bifidobacterium was the dominant bacterial genus, with relative abundances of 16.83% and 18.81% before and after treatment, respectively. At the genus level, a total of 17 gut microbiota genera were screened out, among which the relative abundances of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Gammaproteobacteria_unclassified, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Leuconostoc, and Akkermanisia were significantly higher than before treatment ( Z = - 2.40, - 2.24, - 2.06, - 3.59, - 2.24, - 2.11, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Dubosiella, Selenomonas, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_ NK4A136_group, Rikenella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9, Phascolarctobacterium, and Desulfovibrio were significantly lower than before treatment ( Z = - 9.38, - 2.61, - 2.18, - 8.43, - 2.45, - 2.46, - 2.49, - 7.29, - 2.29, - 2.55, - 2.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve the joint function of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and alter the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota community. It may reduce clinical symptoms in patients by regulating the structure of gut microbiota.

In the earliest days,the idea that surviving a single infection often resulted in lifelong immunity to the infecting pathogen was recorded and then led to the discovery of vaccination.We have now confirmed that such protection is primarily based on the generation of immunological memory in antibody response.With the wide implementation of more and more vaccines around the world,it is well documented that different vaccines have different potential regarding to the duration of antibody response.In clinical observations,live-attenuated vaccines often elicit long-term immunity but are also accompanied with risks in safety that are hard to avoid.In order to develop novel vaccines with both excellent potential in eliciting antibody memory and low safety risk,it is critical to further investigate the mechanism of antibody memory in the perspective of immunology.Antibody memory is mediated by certain long-lived B cells:long-lived plasma cell can secret antibody to maintain serum antibody titer while memory B cell contributes to the rapid immune response during the secondary encounter of pathogens.Cellular and molecular processes that drive the production of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells are subjects of intensive research and have important implications for global health.Several factors in the vaccine would indeed affect and regulate these processes,including the antigen valency,vaccine kinetics and the signal integration of both antigen and danger molecules.Many studies have focused on strategies to manipulate these factors to improve or develop new vaccines.Here,we will summarize our current knowledge on how the component in vaccines will affect their potential in generating and sustaining antibody memory,and also point out the challenges we face in the route of developing a"perfect"vaccine.

OBJECTIVES: The excretion of urinary vitamin D-binding protein (uVDBP) is related to the occurrence and development of early-stage renal damage in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This study aims to explore the significance of detecting uVDBP in T2DM patients and its relationship with renal tubules, and to provide a new direction for the early diagnosis of T2DM renal damage. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with T2DM, who met the inclusion criteria, were included as a patient group, and recruited 30 individuals as a normal control group. The general information and blood and urine biochemical indicators of all subjects were collected; the levels of uVDBP, and a marker of tubular injury [urine kidney injury molecule 1 (uKIM-1), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urine retinol-binding protein (uRBP)] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were corrected by urinary creatinine (Cr) to uVDBP/Cr, uKIM-1/Cr, uNGAL/Cr and uRBP/Cr. The Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests were used to analyze the correlation between uVDBP/Cr and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and markers of tubular injury, and multivariate linear regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to analyze the correlation between uVDBP/Cr and UACR or eGFR. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the uVDBP/Cr level in the patient group was increased (P<0.05), and which was positively correlated with UACR (r=0.774, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.397, P<0.01). There were differences in the levels of uKIM-1/Cr, uNGAL/Cr, and uRBP/Cr between the 2 groups (all P<0.01). The uVDBP/Cr was positively correlated with uKIM-1/Cr (r=0.752, P<0.01), uNGAL/Cr (r=0.644, P<0.01) and uRBP/Cr (r=0.812, P<0.01). The sensitivity was 90.0% and the specificity was 82.9% (UACR>30 mg/g) for evaluation of uVDBP/Cr on T2DM patients with early-stage renal damage, while the sensitivity was 75.0% and the specificity was 72.6% for evaluation of eGFR on T2DM patients with early-stage renal damage. CONCLUSIONS The uVDBP/Cr can be used as a biomarker in early-stage renal damage in T2DM patients.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Creatinine ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein/urine* ; Lipocalin-2/urine* ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Biomarkers

Poria is an important medicine for inducing diuresis to drain dampness from the middle energizer. However, the specific effective components and the potential mechanism of Poria remain largely unknown. To identify the effective components and the mechanism of Poria water extract (PWE) to treat dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency syndrome (DSSD), a rat model of DSSD was established through weight-loaded forced swimming, intragastric ice-water stimulation, humid living environment, and alternate-day fasting for 21 days. After 14 days of treatment with PWE, the results indicated that PWE increased fecal moisture percentage, urine output, D-xylose level and weight; amylase, albumin, and total protein levels; and the swimming time of rats with DSSD to different extents. Eleven highly related components were screened out using the spectrum-effect relationship and LC-MS. Mechanistic studies revealed that PWE significantly increased the expression of serum motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), ADCY5/6, p-PKAα/β/γ cat, and phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding protein in the stomach, and AQP3 expression in the colon. Moreover, it decreased the levels of serum ADH, the expression of AQP3 and AQP4 in the stomach, AQP1 and AQP3 in the duodenum, and AQP4 in the colon. PWE induced diuresis to drain dampness in rats with DSSD. Eleven main effective components were identified in PWE. They exerted therapeutic effect by regulating the AC-cAMP-AQP signaling pathway in the stomach, MTL and GAS levels in the serum, AQP1 and AQP3 expression in the duodenum, and AQP3 and AQP4 expression in the colon.
Animals ; Rats ; Poria ; Spleen ; Albumins ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein

Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type（ENKTL） is a highly aggressive malignant tumor derived from NK cells. This article reports a case of ENKTL invading the larynx and digestive tract. The clinical clinical manifestations include hoarseness and intranasal masses.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/pathology* ; Nose/pathology* ; Nose Neoplasms/pathology* ; Larynx/pathology* ; Gastrointestinal Tract/pathology*

Objective:To investigate the correlation between Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods:The differential expression profiles of piRNAs in renal tissues of patients with DN (experimental group) and renal tissues adjacent to tumors of patients with renal tumors (control group) were detected by high-throughput sequencing. The biological function of differentially expressed piRNAs was described by gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the serum expression level of target piRNAs in patients with DN. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum target piRNAs and clinical indexes of patients with DN.Results:The results of high throughput sequencing showed that there were 127 differentially expressed piRNAs between DN group and control group, with screening condition of |log 2(fold changes)|≥2 and P<0.05. Among them, there were 99 up-regulated piRNAs and 28 down-regulated piRNAs. The top 5 up-regulated piRNAs were piRNA-hsa-161686, piRNA-hsa-349255, piRNA-hsa-355720, piRNA-hsa-151229 and piRNA-hsa-154959, respectively. The top 5 down-regulated piRNAs were piRNA-hsa-1929960, piRNA-hsa-174194, piRNA-hsa- 148658, piRNA-hsa-172594 and piRNA-hsa-172421, respectively. The PCR verification results of 3 up-regulated genes and 3 down-regulated genes with low P values and high expression levels showed that serum expression level of piRNA-hsa-77976 was significantly down-regulated in patients with DN ( P=0.028), which was consistent with that of sequencing, while the expression levels of other genes were inconsistent with the sequencing results or had no statistical significance. Bioinformatics analysis results predicted that significantly differentially expressed piRNAs might participate in the regulation of DN through Rap1, Ras, PI3K-Akt and axon guiding pathways. The results of correlation analysis showed that the expression level of piRNA-hsa-77976 was negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen ( r=-0.584, P=0.028), serum creatinine ( r=-0.637, P=0.014), cystatin C ( r=-0.738, P=0.003) and β2 microglobulin ( r=-0.822, P<0.001), and positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r=0.661, P=0.010). Conclusion:The differential expression of piRNA is closely related to DN, and may be used as a new biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of DN.

Objective: To explore the relationship between isochronous substitution and BMI, waist circumference (WC), and body fat rate (FAT) among physical activity (PA), sedentary (SB), and sleep (SLP), so as to provide effective measures for obesity control in adolescents. Methods: A total of 193 adolescents aged 12-15 (90 males and 103 females) was randomly selected, and their height, weight, and BMI were measured using routine testing methods from May to August 2022. The PA, SB and SLP of the participants were measured using a 3D accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+). Results: The arithmetic mean value overestimated SLP (40.8%) and SB (39.6%) to some extent, and underestimated LPA (16.1%) and MVPA (3.5%) to some extent. Based on the ISM at 15 min, MVPA was substituted for other activity, BMI Z decreased by 0.17-0.22 units, WC Z decreased by 0.16-0.20 units, and FAT Z decreased by 0.17-0.22 units. The substitution between MVPA and for other activity exhibited significant asymmetry. The effects of MVPA substitutions for SB was the largest, followed by the effects of MVPA substitutions for SLP, and the effects of MVPA substitutions for LPA was the lowest. As MVPA substitutions for other behaviors, it reached its maximum (0.06-0.08 units ) when the MVPA time increased by 5 minutes. Conclusions MVPA plays an irreplaceable role in the control of adolescent obesity . While reducing SB time, MVPA duration should be increased to ensure that the daily MVPA duration is not less than 55 minutes in order to effectively control obesity.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of scalp acupuncture combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on dysphagia after ischemic stroke.Methods:Prospective cohort study. A total of 94 patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke in our hospital who met the inclusion criteria from December 2020 to February 2022 were randomly divided into two groups with 47 patients in each group. The control group was treated with rTMS and conventional acupuncture, while the scalp acupuncture group was treated with rTMS and scalp acupuncture (scalp acupuncture+seven points at the skull base). Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) symptoms were scored, and the morphology, movement and food swallowing process of the patient's swallowing anatomy were observed with fiber optic endoscopy (FEES), and assessed by the leakage aspiration scale (PAS). The Yilang Fujishima swallowing efficacy evaluation and standard swallowing assessment (SSA) were used to evaluate swallowing function. The dysphagia quality of life scale (SWAL-QOL) were used to evaluate patients' quality of life. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning was performed to observe the anisotropy fraction (FA value) of the selected region of interest (ROI).Results:During the treatment period, each group dropped off 1 patient, and 92 patients entered the statistics. After treatment, the scores of salivation, food retention, eating and drinking cough in the scalp acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 6.87, 4.90, 5.01, respectively, P<0.01), and the PAS grading was significantly better than that in the control group ( χ2=7.80, P=0.025), the swallowing efficacy evaluation and SWAL-QOL score of Yilang Fujishima were significantly higher than those of the control group ( t=6.81, 5.98, P<0.01), and the SSA score was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t=5.68, P<0.01). The FA values of parieto occipital cortex (0.47 ± 0.06 vs. 0.42 ± 0.04, t=3.16), insular cortex (0.44 ± 0.07 vs. 0.40 ± 0.05, t=3.00) and posterior limb of internal capsule (0.58 ± 0.04 vs. 0.54 ± 0.05, t=2.80) of ROI in the head acupuncture group after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS can improve the swallowing function of patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke and improve their quality of life.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of CT-guided localization of pulmonary nodules with soft wire hook-wire by trailing technique.Methods:The clinical data of 211 pulmonary nodules of 185 patients from November 2020 to March 2022 in Beijing Aerospace General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The pulmonary nodules were localized with soft wire hook-wire by trailing technique before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The success rate, complications, pathological results and localization operations related data were statistically analyzed.Results:The success rate of localization was 97.63% (206/211), and the success rate of VATS removal was 99.53% (210/211). The average operation time was (7.19 ± 2.62) min, and the average time required for resection of lesions was 27 min (10 to 126 min). During the surgery, the soft wire hook-wire of two patient was found to be dislocated and retracted into the chest wall. The pulmonary nodules were successfully located and removed according traces left by puncture points on the lung surface. It was found that the hook-wire was located in the interlobar fissure in 3 patients. The pulmonary nodules were successfully removed by the hook-wire position and appropriately expanding the resection range. A minor pneumothorax occurred in 49 patients, but no closed drainage was needed; 12 patients developed intrapulmonary hematoma; 15 patients with chest pain were treated with analgesia.Conclusions:For small pulmonary nodules requiring thoracoscopic surgery, the computed tomography-guided pulmonary nodule localization with soft wire hook-wire by trailing technique is more convenient, safe and effective, and is worthy of promotion to use.