Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is the most common neurological complication of sepsis, with an incidence of up to 70% in sepsis, and contributes to the increased mortality and disability in sepsis. To date, the exact pathogenesis of SAE is not clear. Most of current researches indicated that blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, active neuroinflammation, glial cell over activation as well as cerebral microcirculation dysfunction contributed to the pathophysiology of SAE. BBB, as a complex cellular structure between the central nervous system and the peripheral system, strictly controls the entrance and discharge of substances and plays an important role in maintaining the balance between biochemical system and immune system of central system. During the progress of sepsis, inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species resulting from peripheral system directly or indirectly resulted in the damage to the integrity and structure of BBB, which helped above species easily enter into the central system. Above these damages caused glial cell activation (microglia and astrocyte), the imbalance of neurotransmitters, mitochondrial dysfunction and neural apoptosis, which also reversely contributed to the damage to the integrity and permeability of BBB via decreasing the expression of tight junctional protein between cells. Therefore, this review focuses on the structural and functional changes of BBB in SAE, and how these changes lead to the development of SAE, in order to seek a BBB-targeted therapy for SAE.

Objective:To analyze the effect of depressive state on Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice,3xTg-AD mice were stimulated with chronic social frustration stress(CSDS)and chronic mild unpredictable stress(CUMS),to estab-lish an early AD-induced depression mouse model,and to detect cognitive and behavioral changes,activation of micro-glia in the hippocampus and neuronal loss.Methods:Three-month-old mice were subjected to 8-day stress stimulation alternately,the depressive state of the mice was evaluated by behavior,the evaluation criteria were formulated,and the cognitive behavior was detected and analyzed,and the hippocampal brain tissue sections were stained with immunofluo-rescence to observe the deposition of β-amyloid(Aβ)and the aggregation of microtubule-associated protein(tau),mi-croglia activation and neuronal loss.Results:Depression-related behavioral results showed that the CSDS+CUMS group had depression-related phenotypes.Cognitive-behavioral testing showed that the new object recognition index of the mice in the CSDS+CUMS group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the Morris water maze showed that the spatial memory ability of the CSDS+CUMS group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),but there was no obvious fear memory loss in the CSDS+CUMS group in the conditioned fear experiment.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that Aβ deposition appeared in the hippocampus at 4 months of age,the activated microglia increased(P＜0.001),and a certain degree of neuronal loss appeared in the CSDS+CUMS group(P＜0.001);At 8 months of age,the CSDS+CUMS group showed tau protein aggregation early.Conclusion:We established a model of AD-induced de-pression in AD mice,in which 3xTg-AD mice experienced early decline in learning memory and increased AD-related pathological deposition of neurons in the hippocampus,accompanied by microglial activation and neuronal loss.

Objective:To construct a multi-level extension model of big data technology platform,and to explore its application value in improving the quality of pediatric equipment management in hospitals.Methods:Based on the big data technology platform architecture,the whole process management design of pediatric equipment was carried out,and a multi-level extension model was constructed to monitor and evaluate the operation status of pediatric equipment in real time.The medical equipment in clinical use in the Department of Pediatrics of First Affiliated Hospital of PLA Air Force Medical University from 2022 to 2023 was selected,and 141 devices in clinical use from January to December 2022 were evaluated by post-experience evaluation method,and 153 devices in clinical use from January to December 2023 were evaluated by multi-level extension evaluation method.60 pediatric devices were randomly inspected under the two management methods respectively,and the pediatric device management level scores and equipment quality management ability scores of hospitals with different management methods were compared.The satisfaction of engineers,doctors,equipment managers and related department managers involved in equipment use management with different management methods were investigated by using a self-made questionnaire.Results:The average scores of pediatric equipment resource allocation,technical support,information basis and management benefit using the multi-level extension evaluation method were(92.36±4.65),(90.47±3.26),(91.56±3.36)and(93.26±3.68),respectively,which were higher than those of the post-experience evaluation method,the difference was statistically significant(t=17.495,18.551,19.705,17.208,P<0.05).The satisfaction scores of engineers,doctors,equipment managers and managers of relevant departments for pediatric equipment management using the multi-level extension evaluation method was(92.69±3.11)points,(93.62±4.95)points,(92.54±3.23)points and(94.57±4.69)points,respectively,which were higher than those of the post-experience evaluation method,the difference was statistically significant(t=12.526,10.215,14.852,11.644,P<0.05).The equipment completeness rate,timely maintenance rate and standard placement rate of the multi-level extension evaluation method were 96.67%(58/60),95%(57/60)and 95%(57/60),respectively,which were higher than those of the post-experience evaluation method,and the equipment failure rate was 3.33%(2/60),which was lower than that of the post-experience evaluation method,the difference was statistically significant(x2=11.582,12.987,14.249,11.580,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of multi-level extension model of big data technology platform solves the complicated problem of redundant management of pediatric medical equipment,which can improve the accuracy of equipment quality management evaluation,improve the operation quality of pediatric equipment in hospitals,improve the equipment use safety,and reduce the equipment operation risk and adverse event incidence.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation(MWA)versus hepatic resection(HR)in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with liver cirrhosis using a meta-analysis.Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline,with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42024509185.PubMed,the Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,CNKI,VIP,and Wanfang Data were searched for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and cohort studies on MWA versus HR in the treatment of HCC with liver cirrhosis published up to November 2023,and Stata 12.0 was used to perform the meta-analysis.Results A total of 3 RCTs and 5 retrospective cohort studies were included,with 953 patients in total.The meta-analysis showed that there were no differences between MWA and HR in 1-,2-,3-,and 5-year overall survival(OS)rates(all P>0.05)and 1-,2-,and 5-year recurrence rates(all P>0.05).Compared with HR,MWA had a significantly higher 3-year recurrence rate(risk ratio[RR]=1.59,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.08-2.33,P=0.017)and significantly lower 1-,3-,and 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)rates(1-year DFS rate:RR=0.94,95%CI:0.89-0.99,P=0.018,I2=0.0%;3-year DFS rate:RR=0.84,95%CI:0.72-0.98,P=0.023,I2=25.4%;5-year DFS rate:RR=0.75,95%CI:0.58-0.98,P=0.032,I2=34.6%).However,subgroup analysis showed that there were no significant differences between MWA and HR in 1-,2-,and 3-year OS rates and 1-and 3-year DFS rates in the RCT subgroup(all P>0.05).Compared with HR,MWA had significantly better intraoperative blood loss(standardized mean difference[SMD]=-2.31,95%CI:-2.64 to-1.97,P<0.001,I2=3.1%),time of operation(SMD=-3.38,95%CI:-4.05 to-2.71,P<0.001,I2=73.8%),length of hospital stay(SMD=-2.54,95%CI:-3.27 to-1.80,P<0.001,I2=92.8%),adverse reactions(RR=0.42,95%CI:0.30-0.59,P<0.001,I2=0.0%),and liver function(SMD=-1.43,95%CI:-1.89--0.97,P<0.001).Conclusion There are no significant differences between MWA and HR in local recurrence,DFS,and OS,but MWA tends to have a less intraoperative blood loss,a shorter time of operation,fewer adverse reactions,a less impact on liver function,and a shorter length of hospital stay.

Background: The Lymphadenectomy in Ovarian Neoplasms (LION) study revealed that systemic lymphadenectomy did not bring survival benefit for advanced ovarian cancer patients with clinically normal lymph nodes and was associated with a higher incidence of operative complications. However, there is no consensus on whether lymphadenectomy has survival benefit or not in early epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods We designed the LOVE study, a multicenter, randomized controlled, phase III trial to compare the efficacy and safety of comprehensive staging surgery with or without lymphadenectomy in stages IA-IIB EOC and fallopian tube carcinomas (FTC). The hypothesis is that the oncological outcomes provided by comprehensive staging surgery without lymphadenectomy are non-inferior to those of conventional completion staging surgery in early-stage EOC and FTC patients who have indications for post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients assigned to experimental group will undergo comprehensive staging surgery, but lymphadenectomy. Patients assigned to comparative group will undergo completion staging surgery including systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. All subjects will receive 3–6 cycles of standard adjuvant chemotherapy. Major inclusion criteria are pathologic confirmed stage IA-IIB EOC or FTC, and patients have indications for adjuvant chemotherapy either confirmed by intraoperative fast frozen section or previous pathology after an incomplete staging surgery. Major exclusion criteria are non-epithelial tumors and low-grade serous carcinoma. Patients with severe rectum involvement which lead to partial rectum resection will be excluded. The sample size is 656 subjects. Primary endpoint is disease-free survival.

Background Aluminum (Al) can cause irreversible damage to neurons and synapses function, and the mechanism may be connected to mitochondrial damage caused by glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) regulating dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), resulting in inhibition of the growth of neuronal protrusions. Objective To investigate the role of GSK-3β regulating DRP1 in the inhibition of primary hippocampal neurite growth induced by Al. Methods Neurons were extracted from the hippocampus of newborn mice (≤24 h old) for primary culture. On day 6, the purity of neurons was detected by immunofluorescence. On day 10, neurons with good growth state were selected for Al exposure and GSK-3β inhibitor SB216763 (SB) intervention. The experiment design included a blank control group, a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, an Al (20 μmol·L⁻¹) group, a SB (1 μmol·L⁻¹) group, and a SB (1 μmol·L⁻¹) + Al (20 μmol·L⁻¹) group. After primary hippocampal neurons were treated with Al or SB for 48 h, cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, the mitochondrial morphology of primary hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscopy, the total protrusion length of primary hippocampal neurons was scanned and analyzed by laser confocal imaging, and their complexity was analyzed by Sholl analysis. The expression levels of phospho-GSK-3β, GSK-3β, and DRP1 were detected by Western blotting. Results The immunofluorescent results showed that the purity of primary neurons was higher than 90%. After the Al exposure and the SB intervention for 48 h, compared with the blank control group, there was no obvious difference in cell viability in the DMSO group and the SB group (P>0.05), and the Al group showed reduced cell viability (P=0.006); there was no obvious difference in cell viability between the SB+Al group and the Al group (P>0.05). Compared with the blank control group, there was no obvious difference in the average total length of protrusion in the DMSO group and the SB group (P>0.05), and the Al group showed reduced average total length of neurite (P<0.001); the average total neurite length in the SB+Al group was significantly increased compared with that in the Al group (P=0.001). The results of Sholl analysis revealed that, within 130 μm from the cytosol, the number of intersections of neurons in each group increased with the increase of distance. Above 130 μm from the cytosol, the number of intersections of neurons in each group decreased gradually with increase of distance. At 130 μm and 310 μm from the cytosol, compared with the blank control group, the number of neuronal intersections in the DMSO group and the SB group had no obvious difference (P>0.05), and that in the Al group was significantly reduced (P<0.05); there was no obvious difference in the number of neuronal intersections between the SB+Al group and the Al group (P>0.05). The mitochondrial structure of the blank control group was complete and the crest was clearly visible; there was no apparent variation in the mitochondrial structure in the DMSO group and the SB group; the mitochondria in the Al group were vacuolated and the crista disappeared; the SB+Al group showed clearer crista than the Al group. The difference in GSK-3β phosphorylation level among groups was statistically significant (F=45.841, P<0.001). Compared with the blank control group, the GSK-3β phosphorylation level showed not significantly different in the DMSO group (P>0.05), increased in the SB group (P=0.022), and significantly reduced in the Al group (P<0.001); the GSK-3β phosphorylation level was significantly higher in the SB+Al group than in the Al group (P<0.001). The difference in DRP1 protein level among groups was statistically significant (F=8.389, P=0.003). Compared with the blank control group, the DRP1 protein levels in the DMSO group and the SB group were not significantly different (P>0.05), and significantly increased in the Al group (P=0.001); the DRP1 protein level in the SB+Al group was significantly lower than that in the Al group (P=0.029). Conclusion Al may increase the level of DRP1 protein by activating GSK-3β, causing mitochondrial damage and inhibiting neuronal protrusions growth.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).Methods:From May 2014 to December 2019, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 7 PNH patients undergoing UCBT. The grades were severe ( n=6) and extremely severe ( n=1). The causes were primary PNH ( n=4) and PNH-aplastic anemia (AA) syndrome ( n=3). There were 5 males and 2 females with a median age of 29 (20-47) years, a median weight of 60(50-71) kg and a median time from diagnosis to transplantation of 62.5(7.7-171) months. All of them were accompanied by transfusion dependence. Myeloablative ( n=6) and reduced-intensity ( n=1) pretreatment was offered. The regimen of preventing GVHD was cyclosporine A plus short-term mycophenolate mofetil without ATG. The median number of input nucleated cells was 2.4(1.71-4.28)×10 7/kg and the median number of CD34+ cells 1.58(0.88-3.02)×10 5/kg. Results:Neutrophil and erythroid engraftment was obtained with a median neutrophil engraftment time of 17(15-21) days and a median erythroid engraftment time of 27. Engraftment time of 37(25-101) days for platelets >20×10 9/L and 62(27-157) days for platelets >50×10 9/L. The incidence of 100-day acute GVHD was 28.6%(95%CI 0-55.3%). The severity of GVHD was grade Ⅱ° acute ( n=2) and mild ( n=1). The median follow-up period was 13.5(3-71.4) months. Six patients survived while another with PNH-AA syndrome with iron overload died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The 2-year overall survival rate was 83.3%(95%CI 27.3-97.5%). Conclusions:With excellent engraftment and survival in the treatment of PNH, UCBT is indicated for patients without HLA full-match donor. PNH-AA syndrome with iron overload may be one of the important prognostic factors.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes of single unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in children with high risk and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) .Methods:Between June 2008 and December 2018, a total of 160 consecutive pediatric patients with AML received single UCBT (excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia) . Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimen were applied. All patients received a combination of cyclosporine A (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for the prophylaxis of graft -versus- host disease (GVHD) .Results:The cumulative incidence of neutrophil cells engraftment at day +42 and platelet recovery at day +120 was 95.0% (95% CI 90.0%-97.5%) at a median of 16 days after transplantation (range, 11-38 days) and 85.5% (95% CI 83.3%-93.4%) with a median time to recovery of 35 days (range, 13-158) , respectively. Incidence of grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute GVHD and chronic GVHD were 37.3% (95%CI 29.3%-45.2%) , 27.3% (95% CI 20.0%-35.0%) and 22.4% (95% CI 15.5%-28.7%) , respectively. The transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 360 day was 13.1% (95% CI 8.4%-18.9%) . The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 13.8% (95% CI 8.5%-20.3%) . The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 71.7% (95% CI 62.7%-77.8%) and 72.2% (95% CI 64.1%-78.7%) , respectively. The 5-year GVHD and relapse free survival (GRFS) was 56.1% (95% CI 46.1%-64.9%) . The 5-year cumulative recurrence rates of CR1, CR2, and NR groups were 5.3%, 19.9%, and 30.9% ( P=0.001) , and the 5-year OS rates were 79.9% (95% CI 70.3%-86.7%) , 71.1% (95% CI 50.4%-84.4%) and 52.9% (95% CI 33.0%-69.3%) ( χ2=7.552, P=0.020) , respectively. Conclusions:For pediatric patients with high risk and refractory AML, UCBT is a safe and effective treatment option, and it is favorable to improve the survival rate in CR1 stage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic efficacy among three RT-PCR test kits for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid detection. METHODS: The throat swab samples from 40 hospitalized patients clinically diagnosed as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 16 hospitalized non-COVID-19 patients were recruited. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was detected in throat swab samples with RT-PCR test kits from Sansure Biotech ("Sansure" for short), Jiangsu Bioperfectus Technologies ("Bioperfectus" for short) and BGI Genomics ("BGI" for short). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and Kappa value were analyzed. The viral nucleic acid was extracted from the throat swab samples by one-step cleavage and magnetic bead methods, and the efficacy of two extraction methods was also compared. The results of magnetic bead method for nucleic acid extraction by two different extractors (Sansure Natch CS S12C Fully Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction System vs. Tianlong NP968-C Nucleic Acid Extractor) were also compared. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and kappa value were 95.00%, 87.50%, 95.00%, 87.50%and 0.825 for Sansure kit; 90.00%, 87.50%, 94.74%, 77.78%and 0.747 for the Bioperfectus kit, and 82.50%, 81.25%, 91.67%, 65.00%and 0.593 for the BGI kit, respectively. The positive, negative and total coincident rates and kappa value of viral nucleic acid detection results using the samples extracted by one-step cleavage and magnetic bead methods were 95.24%, 100.00%, 96.43%and 0.909, respectively, but the one-step cleavage method took only 25 min, while the magnetic bead method required 180 min. The positive, negative and total coincident rates and kappa value of viral nucleic acid detection results using the samples extracted by the two different nucleic acid extractors were 85.00%, 100.00%, 89.29% and 0.764, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The detection efficacy for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid by the Sansure kit is relatively higher and the one-step cleavage method has advantages of convenient operation and less time consuming.
Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; standards

Objective To evaluate the effect of pretransplant iron overload on the clinical efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Methods Clinical data of 80 SAA recipients who underwent allo-HSCT for the first time were retrospectively analyzed. According to the incidence of iron overload, all recipients were divided into the iron overload group (n=20) and non-iron overload group (n=60). The engraftment rate, incidence of postoperative complications and clinical prognosis of the recipients afterallo-HSCT were statistically compared between two groups. The influencing factors of 2-year overall survival (OS) and 180 d transplantation related mortality (TRM) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results The engraftment rate of neutrophils in the non-iron overload group was 98% (59/60), significantly higher than 75% (15/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The engraftment rate of platelet in the non-iron overload group was 90% (54/60), significantly higher than 65% (13/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of bloodstream infection in the non-iron overload group was 23% (14/60), remarkably lower than 40% (8/20) in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The 180 d TRM of the recipients in the non-iron overload group was 17%, significantly lower than 45% in the iron overload group (P < 0.05). The 1- and 2-year OS of the recipients in the non-iron overload group were 82% and 80%, significantly higher than 50% and 44% in the iron overload group (both P < 0.05). Iron overload or not was an independent risk factor of the OS and TRM of the recipients (both P < 0.05). Conclusions Iron overload can affect the OS and TRM of SAA patients after allo-HSCT.