The network of laughter/smile production and propagation in the brain is not yet fully understood.In this paper,we report two cases of medically refractory epilepsy patients with stereotactic EEG implantation,in which smiles(without pleasurable emotions and motor awareness)and laughter(with situationally incompatible pleasurable emotions)were repeatedly induced by electrical stimulation in the left precentral gyrus,and the right insular short gyrus,respectively.This phenomenon reflects the existence of distinct and linked emotional and behavioral networks for laughter.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary embolism in patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage,and construct and verify the nomogram model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 558 patients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the Three Gorges Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University.And 393 of them who hospitalized from January 2015 to January 2021 were assigned into a modeling group,and the other 165 patients from February 2021 to January 2023 into a validation group.Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to screen out the risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism after spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage surgery.Then a nomogram model was build based on these factors and verified.Results Based on age,blood loss,Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score,surgical treatments,levels of fibrin degradation products,D-dimer and hemoglobin,plasma osmolality,and deep vein thrombosis,a risk model of pulmonary embolism was built.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed the model had good discriminability for the presence of pulmonary embolism,and the area under the curve(AUC)value was 0.908.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-fit test indicated that the model had a good fit to the verification set(Chi-square=14.805,df=8,P=0.063),the correction curve was close to the ideal curve,and the prediction probability of the model was close to the actual occurrence probability,suggesting the model having good accuracy.Decision curve analysis revealed that the established nomogram model can get benefits under a large range of threshold probabilities.Conclusion We develop a prediction model for postoperative pulmonary embolism in patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage after surgical treatment,which shows good prediction performance in both the training and validation groups,and can be used for accurate,prompt and quick identification for the occurrence of pulmonary embolism in clinical practice.

Objective To observe the value of ultrasonic parameters for predicting whether patients with cesarean scar pregnancy(CSP)would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone.Methods Totally 140 CSP patients diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound and initially treated with ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone were prospectively recruited and categorized into benefited group(n=103)and non-benefited group(n=37)according to bleeding during suction curettage and prognoses.The ultrasonic manifestations of CSP were observed,and the thickness of chorionic villi at the scar,as well as of residual myometrium of the anterior wall in the lower segment of the uterus,also the maximum diameter of the gestational sac were measured and compared between groups,and the parameters with quantitative data being statistically different between groups were converted into categorical predictor through analyzing of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and the optimal cut-off values.The independent predictors were selected among ultrasonic features and categorical predictor variables being statistically different between groups using multivariate logistic regression,and a combined predicting model was then constructed,and the predicting efficacy of the combined model and each categorical predictor alone was assessed according to the area under curve(AUC)and then were compared.Results Compared with non-benefited group,the gestational weeks in benefited group were smaller(P＜0.05),and the percentages of rich blood supply and the presence of embryos and fetal heartbeats were lower,with thinner chorionic villi at the scar,thicker residual myometrium and smaller maximal diameter of the gestational sac in benefited group(all P＜0.05).ROC curves analyses yielded the best cut-off value for dichotomy of chorionic villi thickness at the scar was 4.7 mm,of residual myometrium thickness was 1.8 mm and of the maximum diameter of the gestational sac was 29 mm,respectively,and then categorical predictor variable were obtained.Multivariate logistic regression showed that the transformed categorical predictors,i.e.the thickness degree of the chorionic villi at the scar,the thickness degree of the residual muscle layer and the size degree of the gestational sac,were all independent predictors of whether CSP patients would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone(all P＜0.05).The AUC of the combined predicting model was 0.918,higher than that of each transformed categorical predictor alone(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The thickness of the chorionic villi at the scar ≤4.7 mm,the thickness of the residual muscle layer＞1.8 mm and the maximum diameter of the gestational sac≤29 mm were all independent predictors of CSP patients would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone,and the predicting efficacy of the combined model was higher than that of each alone.

Objective:To study the risk factors of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after surgery for intestinal atresia.Method:From August 2013 to June 2020, children with intestinal atresia receiving surgery in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were assigned into NEC group and non-NEC group according to the occurrence of postoperative NEC. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were summarized and the risk factors for postoperative NEC were analyzed using Logistic regression analysis method.Result:A total of 96 infants were enrolled and NEC occurred in 13 patients (13.5%) after surgery for intestinal atresia. Compared with the non-NEC group, the NEC group were diagnosed of intestinal atresia [4.0(1.5,6.0)d vs. 1.4(0,2.0)d, P<0.001] and received surgery [4.8(2.0,7.0)d vs. 3.1(1.0,4.0)d, P=0.034] at later ages. The incidences of complex intestinal atresia [76.9%(10/13) vs. 44.6%(37/83), P=0.030] and blood transfusion [46.2%(6/13) vs. 13.3%(11/83), P=0.007] in the NEC group were higher than the non-NEC group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the age of initial diagnosis of intestinal atresia ( OR=3.346, 95% CI 1.493~7.500, P=0.003), complex intestinal atresia ( OR=9.052, 95% CI 1.119~73.209, P=0.039) and blood transfusion ( OR=6.835, 95% CI 1.399~33.380, P=0.018) were independent risk factors for postoperative NEC. Conclusion:Patients with delayed diagnosis of intestinal atresia, complex intestinal atresia and blood transfusion within 48 hours after surgery should be monitored for the occurrence of postoperative NEC.

Objective:To explore the high risk factors of catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in breast cancer patients, and provide the basis for the development of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:A total of 1 432 breast cancer patients scheduled to receive central venous catheterization in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2019 were selected. Baseline information and catheterization information of patients were collected. The occurrence of CRT was confirmed by vascular ultrasound examination, and the influencing factors of CRT were analyzed.Results:The total number of catheter days were 121, 980 days in 1 432 patients with breast cancer, and the average number of catheter days in each patient was 85.2 days. The incidence of CRT was 6.8% (97/1 432), which was 0.79 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 815 patients with centrally inserted central venous catheters (CICC), 43 (5.3%) had CRT, which was 0.70 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 617 patients with peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC), 54 (8.8%) developed CRT, which was 0.90 cases/1 000 catheter days. CRT was most common in subclavian vein (63.9%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years old ( OR=1.712, 95% CI: 1.056-2.775, P=0.029), PICC ( OR=1.732, 95% CI: 1.130-2.656, P=0.012), the catheter position except subclavian vein ( OR=10.420, 95% CI: 1.207-89.991), secondary adjustment of catheter position ( OR=3.985, 95% CI: 1.510-10.521, P=0.005) and high D-Dimer level ( OR=1.129, 95% CI: 1.026-1.241, P=0.012)were independent risk factors for CRT. Conclusions:The CRT problem can′t be ignored in the clinical treatment of breast cancer patients with central venous catheterization. Screening the appropriate age of patients and the type of central venous catheters, reducing the secondary adjustment of catheter position, and timely monitoring the level of D-dimer are helpful to the prevention and treatment of CRT.

Objective:To explore the high risk factors of catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in breast cancer patients, and provide the basis for the development of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:A total of 1 432 breast cancer patients scheduled to receive central venous catheterization in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2019 were selected. Baseline information and catheterization information of patients were collected. The occurrence of CRT was confirmed by vascular ultrasound examination, and the influencing factors of CRT were analyzed.Results:The total number of catheter days were 121, 980 days in 1 432 patients with breast cancer, and the average number of catheter days in each patient was 85.2 days. The incidence of CRT was 6.8% (97/1 432), which was 0.79 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 815 patients with centrally inserted central venous catheters (CICC), 43 (5.3%) had CRT, which was 0.70 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 617 patients with peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC), 54 (8.8%) developed CRT, which was 0.90 cases/1 000 catheter days. CRT was most common in subclavian vein (63.9%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years old ( OR=1.712, 95% CI: 1.056-2.775, P=0.029), PICC ( OR=1.732, 95% CI: 1.130-2.656, P=0.012), the catheter position except subclavian vein ( OR=10.420, 95% CI: 1.207-89.991), secondary adjustment of catheter position ( OR=3.985, 95% CI: 1.510-10.521, P=0.005) and high D-Dimer level ( OR=1.129, 95% CI: 1.026-1.241, P=0.012)were independent risk factors for CRT. Conclusions:The CRT problem can′t be ignored in the clinical treatment of breast cancer patients with central venous catheterization. Screening the appropriate age of patients and the type of central venous catheters, reducing the secondary adjustment of catheter position, and timely monitoring the level of D-dimer are helpful to the prevention and treatment of CRT.

Background and Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the multipotent capacity to differentiate into multiple tissue lineages as well as to self-renew, which is the main origin of adipocytes. IL6/IL6R pathway exerts a significant role in tissue regeneration and cell differentiation. Whereas, the underlying mechanism between IL6/IL6R pathway and MSCs adipogenesis differentiation remains elusive. Methods: MSCs from healthy donors were cultured in adipogenesis differentiation medium for 0∼14 days, during which their adipogenesis differentiation degree was evaluated by Oil Red O staining. The expression of IL6R was detected in MSCs during adipogenesis differentiation. Knockdown and overexpression of IL6R were respectively performed using siRNA and lentivirus to investigate its effect on MSCs adipogenesis differentiation. The adipogenesis marker genes expression and MAPK pathway activation were detected by Western blotting. The role of P38 pathway in the adipogenesis differentiation of MSCs was determined using the specific inhibitor SB203580. Results: The expression of IL6 and IL6R increased during adipogenesis differentiation in MSCs, which were positively correlated with Oil Red O quantification result. Knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrated a positive correlation between the expressions of IL6R and MSCs adipogenesis differentiation, accompanied by same trend of P38 phosphorylation. Besides, the specific P38 inhibitor SB203580 markedly inhibited the adipogenesis differentiation potential of MSCs. Conclusions This study reveals IL6R facilitates the adiogenesis differentiation of MSCs via activating P38 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of internal fixation of lateral and medial borders for displaced scapular body fractures via the minimally invasive approach. METHODS: The internal fixation of lateral and medial borders via minimally invasive approach was applied in surgical treatment of 23 patients with scapular body comminuted fractures from January 2014 to June 2018. The lateral approach was made straightly orienting over the lateral border of scapula. The dissection was taken down to the deltoid fascia. The deltoid was retracted cephalically, revealing the external rotators. Blunt dissection was used down to the lateral border between infraspinatus and teres minor, exposing the fracture site. The medial incision was done along the medial border of the scapula over site of the fracture. Dissections were taken down to the fascia and the periosteum. A subperiosteal dissection was then performed to elevate the infraspinatus to the degree necessary to visualize the fracture. The medial and lateral borders of scapula body were fixed with plates and screws in a frame-like way. RESULTS One patient developed the delayed healing of the incisions due to liquefactive fat necrosis. The other 22 patients showed no complications of the incisions. The glenopolar angle (GPA) of fractured scapula was increased from preoperative (25±12) degrees to postoperative (41±5) degrees (P<0.01). The healing time of fractures healed was 3-8 months, with an average time of (4.4±1.3) months. CONCLUSIONS The lateral-medial combined fixation through minimally invasive surgical approach for the scapula body fractures allows visualization of fracture reduction without extensive muscular or subcutaneous flaps, and is associated with successful fracture healing and high functional scores of the shoulder.

Objective To explore the effect of chloroquine on death receptor 5 (DR5) expression of hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells and cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).Methods Huh7 cells were divided into four groups:the control group (1∶1 000 dimethyl sulfoxide),TRAIL group (50 μg/L),chloroquine group (10 μmol/L) and TRAIL +chloroquine group (TRAIL 50 μg/L + chloroquine 10 μmol/L).Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the proliferation activity of cells,immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of DR5,4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining was used to observe cell apoptosis and Western blot was used to detect the expression of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP).Results TRAIL treatment could decrease Huh7 cells proliferation activity;when compared with the cell viability in the control group,the cell proliferation inhibition rate of chloroquine group,TRAIL group and TRAIL+ chloroquine group was (89±8) ％,(53±10) ％ and (27±7) ％,respectively;compared with TRAIL group alone,cell proliferation activity was decreased in TRAIL+ chloroquine group (t =3.922,P =0.017).The expression of DR5 was upregulated in chloroquine group,and the cell apoptosis signaling was activated in TRAIL + chloroquine group.The cell apoptosis rate of TRAIL group and TRAIL + chloroquine group was (10.0±2.3) ％ and (20.4±4.0) ％,respectively,and there was a statistical difference (t =3.894,P =0.018).Conclusion Chloroquine can enhance the cell chemosensitivity to TRAIL treatment by upregulating the expression of DR5 in Huh7 cells.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of autoimmune disease that predominantly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. However, the pathogenesis of AS remains unclear. Some evidence indicates that infection with bacteria, especially Gram-negative bacteria, may have an important role in the onset and progression of AS. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of many rheumatic diseases. We previously demonstrated that MSCs from AS patients exhibited markedly enhanced osteogenic differentiation capacity in vitro under non-inflammatory conditions. However, the properties of MSCs from AS patients in an inflammatory environment have never been explored. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a proinflammatory substance derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can alter the status and function of MSCs. However, whether MSCs from AS patients exhibit abnormal responses to LPS stimulation has not been reported. Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated catabolic process that participates in many physiological and pathological processes. The link between autophagy and AS remains largely unknown. The level of autophagy in ASMSCs after LPS stimulation remains to be addressed. In this study, we demonstrated that although the basal level of autophagy did not differ between MSCs from healthy donors (HDMSCs) and ASMSCs, LPS-induced autophagy was weaker in ASMSCs than in HDMSCs. Specifically, increased TRAF4 expression in ASMSCs impaired LPS-induced autophagy, potentially by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Beclin-1. These data may provide further insight into ASMSC dysfunction and the precise mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of AS.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Autophagy* ; Bacteria ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Membranes ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Pathologic Processes ; Phosphorylation ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Tissue Donors ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 4*