Objective:To explore the correlation between transcranial sonography (TCS) combined with serum homocysteine (Hcy), blood glucose, blood lipids, the cognitive status of Parkinson′s disease (PD) patients, and to analyze the clinical application value of these parameters in assessing the cognitive status of PD patients.Methods:A total of 152 PD patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected as the PD group, and 101 healthy examinees matched for age and gender during the same period were selected as control group. Clinical data [age, gender, duration of illness, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) score, Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage, etc.], serum tests (Hcy, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein concentration), and TCS examination results (third ventricular width, midbrain area, peak systolic velocity of bilateral middle cerebral arteries, bilateral middle cerebral artery resistance index, bilateral substantia nigra hyperechoic area) were collected. The two groups were divided into pure PD group and PD group with elevated Hcy, pure control group and control group with elevated Hcy, based on an Hcy concentration threshold of ≥15 μmol/L. The differences in the above parameters among the four groups were compared. The correlation between Hcy and cognitive status (MoCA score, MMSE score) of PD patients and the above parameters were analyzed.Results:The MoCA score and MMSE score of the PD group with elevated Hcy were lower than those of the pure PD group, and the UPDRS-Ⅲ score and H-Y stage were higher than those of the pure PD group (all P<0.001). The order of Hcy concentration from high to low was PD group with elevated Hcy, pure Hcy elevation group, pure PD group, and pure control group. The differences in serum data and TCS data among the four groups were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed: ①In the PD group, the concentration of Hcy was positively correlated with glucose concentration, H-Y stage, low-density lipoprotein concentration, right middle cerebral artery resistance index, UPDRS-Ⅲ score, total cholesterol concentration, triglyceride concentration, left middle cerebral artery resistance index, third ventricular width, and age ( rs=0.422, 0.350, 0.348, 0.334, 0.325, 0.300, 0.293, 0.283, 0.221, 0.164, all P<0.05); Hcy concentration was negatively correlated with midbrain area, MMSE score, MoCA score, peak systolic velocity of right middle cerebral artery, peak systolic velocity of left middle cerebral artery, and high-density lipoprotein concentration ( rs=-0.328, -0.282, -0.245, -0.229, -0.224, -0.192, all P<0.05). ②Clinical data, serum data, and TCS data of PD patients were all correlated with MoCA score and MMSE score, with midbrain area showing the largest positive correlation ( rs=0.524, 0.516; both P<0.05) and H-Y stage showing the largest negative correlation( rs=-0.490, -0.468; both P<0.05). Conclusions:PD patients with elevated Hcy have lower cognitive scores than pure PD patients. The correlation between Hcy concentration and blood glucose concentration is the highest in PD patients, followed by H-Y stage. The cognitive scores of PD patients are most correlated with midbrain area and unrelated to substantia nigra hyperechoic area. Lowering serum Hcy concentration in PD patients may be one of the ways to delay cognitive impairment.

Objective:To explore the adjunctive diagnostic value of transcranial sonography (TCS) combined with olfactory test in early Parkinson′s disease (PD) and the clinical value of both in the cognitive function of PD patients.Methods:TCS and olfactory test were performed in 157 early PD patients(PD group) and 157 healthy controls(control group) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to January 2022. The differences in clinical characteristics, TCS, and olfactory test results between the two groups were analyzed. The values of TCS, olfactory test, and their combination in diagnosing early PD were evaluated using clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. The correlations of the midbrain area, the midbrain substantia nigra hyperechoic area, and the third ventricle width in TCS examination with the cognitive score were analyzed in the PD group. According to the olfactory test scores, 157 patients with early PD were divided into two groups: 110 cases of PD with olfactory dysfunction (PD-OD) and 47 cases of PD without olfactory dysfunction (PD-NOD). The differences in clinical scores and TCS results between the two groups were compared.Results:The midbrain substantia nigra hyperechoic area, substantia nigra hyperechoic positivity rate, third ventricle width, and olfactory dysfunction rate were higher in the PD group compared to the control group, while the midbrain area and olfactory test scores were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.001). The sensitivity and the coincidence rate of TCS combined with the olfactory test for early PD diagnosis (90.0%, 77.1%) were higher than those of TCS alone (60.0%, 71.3%) and olfactory test alone (70.1%, 72.3%), but the specificity (63.7%) was lower than that of both alone (82.8% for TCS and 75.2% for olfactory test), (all P<0.001). MoCA score, visual space and executive ability, memory, attention, and language were positively correlated with the area of the midbrain ( rs=0.38, 0.32, 0.27, 0.25, 0.23; all P<0.05) and negatively correlated with the width of the third ventricle ( rs=-0.39, -0.22, -0.39, -0.22, -0.32; all P<0.05), and orientation was negatively correlated only with the width of the third ventricle ( rs=-0.24, P<0.05). The MoCA score of PD-OD group[22(18, 25)] was lower than that of PD-NOD group[24(20, 26)]( P=0.040). Conclusions:The combination of TCS and olfactory test can enhance the sensitivity and diagnostic agreement rate for early PD diagnosis, providing some auxiliary value. The cognitive function of PD patients is positively correlated with the midbrain area and negatively correlated with the width of the third ventricle. The cognitive function of PD patients with olfactory dysfunction is lower than that of PD patients without olfactory dysfunction. TCS and olfactory test may help assess cognitive function in PD patients.

Objective:To explore the pathological mechanism of SN hyperechogenicity by investigating the characteristics of substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity on transcranial sonography (TCS) and serum iron metabolism parameters in the postural instability gait difficulty and tremor dominant subtypes of Parkinson′s disease (PD), and the correlation between them.Methods:A total of 155 PD patients recruited in Parkinson′s Disease Specialty in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2021 were divided into postural instability gait difficulty group( n=95) and tremor dominant group( n=60). Meanwhile, 49 healthy gender- and age-matched healthy individuals who sought for physical examination during the same period were included as the control group. All subjects underwent TCS and blood test, and the echo of SN between the postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group, serum iron metabolism parameters among the three groups were compared. The postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were subdivided into with SN hyperechogenicity (SN+ )subgroup and without SN hyperechogenicity (SN-) subgroup respectively according to TCS results, and the differences in serum iron metabolism parameters between the subgroups were further compared. The association between SN hyperechogenicity and serum iron metabolism parameters of the postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were further analyzed. Results:The total area of bilateral SN+ , the area of SN+ on the larger side, and the ratio of the total area of SN+ to the midbrain area (S/M) in postural instability gait difficulty group were larger than those in tremor dominant group (all P<0.001). The value of serum ceruloplasmin and transferrin in both postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group were lower than those in control group (all P<0.001), and compared with tremor dominant group and control group, the postural instability gait difficulty group had lower serum ferritin(all P<0.01). In both postural instability gait difficulty group and tremor dominant group, serum ceruloplasmin in SN+ subgroup was lower than that in SN-subgroup ( P=0.001, 0.032). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between serum transferrin and the area of SN hyperechogenicity in two subgroups(postural instability gait difficulty group: rs=-0.454, P<0.001; tremor dominant group: rs=-0.494, P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared with the tremor dominant patients, the postural instability gait difficulty patients have larger area of SN hyperechogenicity and lower serum ferritin level. The area of SN hyperechogenicity is significantly negatively correlated with serum transferrin level, indicating that the production of this imaging characteristics is related to iron metabolism.

Objective: To explore an effective long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature in predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through the analysis on RNA sequencing data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and peritumoral tissues in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Methods: The clinical characteristics and RNA sequencing data of 377 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were obtained from TCGA database by the end of February 2018. Then, differentially expressed lncRNAs between 50 pairs of tumor and peritumoral tissues were explored using student’s t-test. Next, a lncRNA signature was established through LASSO Cox regression analysis. All the patients were divided into four groups (<P₂₅, P₂₅-, P₅₀-, ≥P₇₅) based on the cut-off quartiles signature. Finally, compared with the control group (<P₂₅), the hazard ratios (HRs) of three groups (P₂₅-, P₅₀-, ≥P₇₅) were calculated by using Cox regression. The survival outcomes of patients in the four groups were compared to evaluate the capacity of the lncRNA signature model. Results: A total of 951 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between tumor and peritumoral tissues. A three-lncRNA signature, including LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was established to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The outcome suggested that the death risk of the ≥P₇₅ group was 1.57 times larger than that of the <P₂₅ group (95%CI: 1.06-2.31, P<0.05). Conclusion The three-lncRNA signature, which established by LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was significantly associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients based on TCGA database data.

Objective: To estimate the burden attributed to the dietary inorganic arsenic exposure with lung cancer, bladder cancer and skin cancer as end points. Methods: Inorganic arsenic, food or diet were used as Chinese keywords and arsenic, food and China were used as English keywords to search for literatures related to the dietary inorganic arsenic exposure published by China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and PubMed Database. Using the data from the China National Nutrition and Health Survey (CNNHS) in 2002 to estimate the dietary inorganic arsenic exposure in Chinese residents. The annual cancer cases attributed to the dietary inorganic arsenic exposure were calculated based on the data from Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report in 2013. The disability adjusted life year (DALY) was calculated using tools built by WHO. Results: The total DALY of cancer caused by the dietary inorganic arsenic exposure was 419.4 thousand, and the DALY rate was 31.47 per 100 000. The DALY of lung cancer in males and females was 237.7 thousand and 102.5 thousand. The DALY of bladder cancer in males and females was 13.2 thousand and 3.9 thousand. The DALY of skin cancer in males and females was 29.4 thousand and 32.8 thousand. Conclusion In 2013, the Chinese population had a lower burden of cancer due to the dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic.

Objective To discuss the neuroimaging characteristics of transcranial ultrasound in end‐stage renal disease ( ESRD ) with restless legs syndrome . Methods T ranscranial sonography ( TCS ) was performed in ESRD with restless legs syndrome ( RLS + group , n ＝ 41 ) ,ESRD without restless legs syndrome ( RLS － group , n ＝57) and control group ( n ＝47) ,w ho were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2018 . T he differences of the neuroimaging characteristics of TCS in substantia nigra ( SN ) ,brainstem raphe ( BR) and red nucleus ( RN ) among the three groups were analyzed . Results T he rate of SN hypoechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS +group ( 36 .6% ,15/41) than that in RLS － group ( 19 .3% ,11/57) and control group( 8 .5% ,4/47) ( χ2 ＝10 .6 ,P＜0 .05) . T he rate of abnormal BR echogenicity was significantly higher in RLS + group ( 34 .1% , 14/41) and RLS － group ( 29 .8% ,17/57) than that in control group( 10 .6% ,5/47) ( χ2 ＝7 .7 , P ＜0 .05) . T he rate of RN hyperechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS + group ( 51 .2% ,21/41 ) than that in RLS － group ( 21 .1% ,12/57) and control group ( 10 .6% ,5/47) ( χ2 ＝19 .8 , P ＜0 .05 ) . Between RLS+and RLS － groups ,when SN ,BR and RN were all of positive performance ,the accuracy of diagnosing RLS+ reached 70% ( 7/10 ) . Conclusions The echogenicity changes of SN ,BR and RN on TCS could provide valuable neuroimaging information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ESRD with restless legs syndrome .

Objective: To discuss the neuroimaging characteristics of transcranial ultrasound in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with restless legs syndrome. Methods: Transcranial sonography (TCS) was performed in ESRD with restless legs syndrome (RLS+ group, n=41), ESRD without restless legs syndrome (RLS- group, n=57) and control group (n=47), who were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2018. The differences of the neuroimaging characteristics of TCS in substantia nigra (SN), brainstem raphe (BR) and red nucleus(RN) among the three groups were analyzed. Results: The rate of SN hypoechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (36.6%, 15/41) than that in RLS- group (19.3%, 11/57) and control group(8.5%, 4/47) (χ²=10.6, P<0.05). The rate of abnormal BR echogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (34.1%, 14/41) and RLS- group (29.8%, 17/57) than that in control group(10.6%, 5/47) (χ²=7.7, P<0.05). The rate of RN hyperechogenicity was significantly higher in RLS+ group (51.2%, 21/41) than that in RLS- group (21.1%, 12/57) and control group (10.6%, 5/47) (χ²=19.8, P<0.05). Between RLS+ and RLS- groups, when SN, BR and RN were all of positive performance, the accuracy of diagnosing RLS+ reached 70% (7/10). Conclusions The echogenicity changes of SN, BR and RN on TCS could provide valuable neuroimaging information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ESRD with restless legs syndrome.

Objective To explore the molecular genetic characteristics of primary and recurrent glioblastomas (GBMs) from the same patient in vivo, primary glioma stem cells cultured in vitro, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Methods (1) The primary and recurrent GBM specimens from one patient during surgical resection were collected; and the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nestin and Ki-67 were detected by immunohistochemical staining; the methylation of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene, mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene and amplification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene were analyzed. (2) The primary and recurrent GBM stem cells were cultured in vitro and named as SU5-1 and SU5-2 cells, respectively; the expressions of nestin and CD133 were detected by immunohistochemical staining; GFAP expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining after induced differentiation, and the growth curve was detected by CCK-8 assay; Transwell invasion assay was used to detect the invasion ability; cell resistance to temozolomide (TMZ), carboplatin (CBP), cisplatin (DDP) and adriamycin (ADM) was detected by CCK-8 assay; the protein expression of programmed death receptor-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was detected by Western blotting. The rate of PD-L1 positive cells was detected by flow cytometry; genetic testing analysis was as above. (3) The primary and recurrent in situ PDX models in nude mice were established, and the expressions of nestin, GFAP and Ki-67 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results (1) As compared with the primary GBM, the recurrent GBM had significantly higher percentages of Ki-67 and nestin positive cells, while statistically lower percentage of GFAP positive cells (P<0.05); genetic analysis showed that there was no mutation in IDH gene in the primary GBM tissues and recurrent GBM tissues; the MGMT gene in the primary GBM tissues was methylated and EGFR gene was not amplified, while the MGMT gene in recurrent GBM tissues was demethylated and EGFR gene amplification was positive. (2) Both SU5-1 and SU5-2 cells expressed nestin and CD133, and GFAP was expressed after induced differentiation; the growth curve showed that the proliferation of SU5-2 cells started earlier than that of SU5-1 cells, the two were equal on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th d, and the proliferation of SU5-1 cells was faster than that of SU5-2 cells from the 6th d; the invasion ability of SU5-2 cells was statistically stronger than that of SU5-1 cells (P<0.05); the inhibition rates of SU5-2 cells treated with 5, 10, and 15 mmol/L CBP, 0.3125, 1.25, and 5 mmol/L DDP, 0.5 and 2 mmol/L ADM, and 125 and 500 mmol/L TMZ were significantly lower than those of SU5-1 cells treated with the same concentrations and same drugs (P<0.05); the protein expression of PD-L1 in SU5-2 cells was higher than that in SU5-1 cells; the positive rate of PD-L1 in SU5-2 cells was statistically higher than that in SU5-1 cells (P<0.05); the results of genetic analysis were consistent with those of the primary and recurrent GBM samples. (3) As compared with those in the primary PDX model, the nestin and Ki-67 expressions were significantly higher and GFAP expression was significantly lower in the recurrent PDX model (P<0.05); the results of genetic analysis were consistent with those of the primary and recurrent GBM samples. Conclusions Genetic differences are detected between primary and recurrent GBMs; recurrent GBM has stronger invasive capacity and multi-drug resistance. The primary stem cells derived from surgical specimens and corresponding PDX models could replicate the molecular genetic characteristics of original tumors, which provide a reliable experimental platform for both tumor translation researches and screening of molecular therapeutic targets.

Objective To evaluate the effect of continuous transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on postoperative systemic inflammatory responses of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer.Methods Ninety-eight patients,aged 45-64 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,weighing 50-75 kg,scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer under general anesthesia,were divided into continuous patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) group (group PCEA) and continuous TAP block group (group TAPB) using a random number table,with 49 patients in each group.An epidural catheter was placed at L1,2 interspace,a test dose of 3 ml of 2％ lidocaine was given,and morphine 2 mg (in 10 ml of normal saline) was injected into the epidural space at the end of surgery in group PCEA.PCEA solution contained 0.15％ ropivacaine and sufentanil 2 μg/ml (diluted to 300 ml in normal saline).PCA pump was set up with a 2 ml bolus dose,a 20 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 4 ml/h.Catheterization of bilateral transversus abdominis plane was accomplished under ultrasound guidance,and 0.3％ ropivacaine 20 ml was injected in group TAPB.TAP block solution contained 0.15％ ropivacaine (diluted to 300 ml in normal saline).PCA pump was set up with a 6 ml bolus dose,a 30 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 6 ml/h.Analgesia lasted until 48 h after surgery,and visual analogue scale score was maintained less than or equal to 3 in both groups.Parecoxib sodium 40 mg was intravenously injected as a rescue analgesic when visual analogue scale score was more than 3.Blood samples were collected from the right internal jugular vein at 24 h before operation (T0) and 48 h after operation (T1) for determination of the expression of CXCL8 mRNA in serum (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and expression of CXCL8 and STAT3 in serum (by Western blot).The development of requirement for rescue analgesia,sensory motor dysfunction of lower extremities and nausea and vomiting after surgery was recorded.Results Compared with the baseline at T0,the expression of serum CXCL8 mRNA,CXCL8 and STAT3 was significantly up-regulated at T1 in the two groups (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group PCEA,the expression of serum CXCL8 mRNA and STAT3 was significantly down-regulated at T1,the incidence of sensory motor dysfunction of lower extremities was decreased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the expression of serum CXCL8,requirement for rescue analgesia or incidence of nausea and vomiting in group TAPB (P＞0.05).Conclusion Continuous TAP block can reduce postoperative systemic inflammatory responses of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer.

Objective To assess the features of transcranial sonography (TCS) in Parkinson disease (PD) and Alzheimer disease (AD).Methods Totally 38 PD patients (PD group),28 AD patients (AD group) and 26 controls (control group)underwent TCS.The echogenicity of the substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery among the three groups were analyzed.Results The ratio of hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra in PD group (31/38,81.58％) were higher than those in AD group (8/28,28.57％) and control group (3/26,11.54％;x2 =18.74,30.41,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra between AD group and control group (x2 =2.41,P=0.120).The widths of third ventricle in AD group ([0.82±0.14]cm) were wider than those in PD group ([0.63±±0.16]cm) and control group ([0.56±0.16]cm,both P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference in widths of third ventricle between PD group and control group (P=0.098).The mean velocities in bilateral middle cerebral artery in AD group were lower than that of in PD group and in control group (all P＜0.05).The pulsatility index in right middle cerebral artery in AD group were greater than that in PD group and control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusion According to the changes of echogenicity of substantia nigra,widths of third ventricle and parameters of middle cerebral artery,TCS may provide some useful information for diagnosis of PD and AD.