With the innovation of obesity treatment concepts and surgical equipmentes, the procedures of metabolic and bariatric surgery have become more and more diversified. In addition to the widely used laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted surgery, endoscopic therapy, and implantable weight loss devices have been constantly emerging and apply to clinical treatment, and achieved remarkable therapeutic effects. As a young branch of surgery, the ability to quickly absorb new technologies is a major feature of metabolic and bariatric surgery. Through the data support of various clinical studies with standardized, large sample sizes, and multiple centers, more effective, minimally invasive, and convenient treatment methods will surely evolve in the near future, which will meet the diverse needs of more obese patients while ensuring safety and weight loss effects. The authors review and look forward to the innovative surgical methods and techniques in metabolic and bariatric surgery, in order to provide reference and inspiration for the academic community.

Objective To investigate the effect of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)pathway in endoplasmic reticulum stress on the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSC).Methods Pathological sections of normal liver tissue after surgery were collected from 11 patients with hepatic fibrosis(S1-S4)and 9 patients with hepatic hemangioma and hepatic adenoma confirmed by liver biopsy,and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression levels of PERK,eIF2α,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP).Human HSC-LX2 cells were treated with different concentrations of the endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer thapsigargin(0,125,250,500,and 1 000 nmol/L),and qRT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression level of PERK,while Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of PERK,inositol requiring protein 1(IRE1),activating transcription factor 6(ATF6),CHOP,and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).The method of lentivirus transfection was used to construct a PERK stable overexpression LX-2 group and a control group;qRT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of PERK,eIF2α,and α-SMA,Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of PERK,phosphorylated eIF2α(p-eIF2α),and α-SMA,and immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression of collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1(COL1A1).The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups;a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups.Results Compared with normal liver tissue,the liver tissue of patients with hepatic fibrosis had significantly higher expression levels of PERK,eIF2α,and CHOP(Z=-3.56,t=-5.75,Z=-3.52,all P<0.001).Compared with the solvent group,the groups treated with different concentrations of thapsigargin had significant increases in the expression levels of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated proteins PERK,CHOP,IRE1,ATF6,and α-SMA(all P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the PERK stable overexpression group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of PERK,eIF2α,and α-SMA and the protein expression levels of PERK,p-eIF2α,and α-SMA(all P<0.05),and immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in the expression level of COL1A1 in the PERK stable overexpression group(P<0.05).Conclusion PERK overexpression can induce the expression of α-SMA and COL1A1 in LX-2 cells,suggesting that the PERK signaling pathway might be one of the important mechanisms of HSC activation.

Objective:To investigate whether the antibacterial copper sulfide (CuS)/graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets composite film can promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis in vitro. Methods:GO and CuS/GO nanosheets were synthesized and mixed into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogel films. The study was conducted in 4 groups: PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC/CuS/GO, PVA/CMC (only PVA/CMC-based film) and blank control (no material). The PVA/CMC, PVA/CMC/GO and PVA/CMC/CuS/GO films were characterized by electron scanning microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The biocompatibility of different films (PVA/CMC/CuS/GO films with concentrations of CuS/GO nanotablets of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 μ g/mL) was evaluated by CCK-8, live/dead cell staining, and hemolysis test. The angiogenesis was evaluated by cell migration and tube forming test in vitro. Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining were used to evaluate osteogenesis in vitro, and the expression of osteogenic genes was measured by immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR. In addition, the bacterial plate counting method and bacteriostatic circle method were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of films. Results:In the PVA/CMC/GO and PVA/CMC/CuS/GO groups, the surface of the PVA/CMC-based film was smooth and flat whereas the nanosheets composite films were irregularly flaky and convex. The biosafety experiments showed that the PVA/CMC-based film composited with GO or CuS/GO nanosheets at the concentration of 100 μg/mL had good biocompatibility. The results of angiogenesis in vitro showed that the migration ratio of HUVEC cells in the PVA/CMC/CuS/GO group was significantly better than those in the PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC and control groups ( P<0.001). In the experiment of tube forming area and length, the PVA/CMC/CuS/GO group was significantly better than the PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC and control groups ( P<0.001). The osteogenic differentiation in vitro displayed that the alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining of MC3T3-E1 cells in the PVA/CMC/CuS/GO group were significantly better than those in the PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC and control groups ( P<0.001). In addition, the fluorescence intensity of immunofluorescence staining in alkaline phosphatase and type Ⅰcollagen on MC3T3-E1 cells, and the mRNA expression levels of osteogenic related genes including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein 2, osteocalcin and osteopontin in the PVA/CMC/CuS/GO group were significantly higher than those in the PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC and control groups ( P<0.001). The antibacterial assay showed that the PVA/CMC/CuS/GO group had a significantly greater antibacterial activity and a significantly larger inhibition zone against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria than the PVA/CMC/GO, PVA/CMC and control groups ( P< 0.001). Conclusions:PVA/CMC films composited with GO or CuS/GO nanosheets demonstrate ideal biocompatibility and antibacterial properties which promote angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. In particular, antibacterial PVA/CMC/CuS/GO composite films with the coupling function of angiogenesis and osteogenesis are expected to provide a new strategy for infectious bone defects.

Objective:To understand the genome and genetic evolution characteristics of influenza B virus (FluB) in Suzhou city from July 2021 to January 2022.Methods:Real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time RT-PCR) was used for the typing of influenza virus (Flu). The detected FluB strains were sequenced by Miseq high-throughput sequencing platform through whole genome capture and library construction. The FluB hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (MP) gene phylogenetic trees were constructed by Neighbor-Joining method (NJ) with MEGA X software. The Potential N-glycosylation sites of HA and NA proteins were predicted by NetNGlyc 1.0 server software.Results:FluB was detected in 280 of the 1 500 throat swab samples, and the FluB genome sequence was completed in 53 strains. The nucleic acid identity of 8 gene fragments (PB1, PB2, PA, HA, NP, NA, MP, NS) in the FluB strains was 99.3%-100%, 98.1%-100%, 98.8%-100%, 98.0%-100%, 99.2%-100%, 98.4%-100%, 98.2%-100% and 99.0%-100%, respectively. Except for the 4 samples in July 2021, which belonged to the V1A.3 clade of FluB, the rest of the samples belonged to the V1A.3a.2 clade. Every amino acid sequence of HA protein of Flu B collected after October 2021 showed 9-11 substitutions compared with the reference strain (B/Washington/02/2019), which sharing 9 mutation sites (H122Q, A127T, R133G, P144L, N150K, G184E, N197D, K203R and R279K). No drug-resistant mutations associated with NA inhibitors such as oseltamivir were found. Respectively, 11 and 4 potential glycosylation sites were identified in HA and NA proteins of the FluB strains.Conclusions:From July 2021 to January 2022, V1A.3a2 was the dominant FluB strains in Suzhou city, and the amino acid sequences of HA and NA proteins showed multiple site mutations.

Objective:To investigate the viral molecular mutations of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and host adaptability in Suzhou City.Methods:The throat swab specimens from nine local cases and six imported cases with 2019-nCoV viral nucleic acid test positive in Suzhou City were sequenced for the whole genome of the virus, and the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain was used as the reference sequence for alignment and analysis. The phylogenetic tree of the viral whole genome sequence was constructed by MEGA 7.0 software.Results:According to the Chinese typing method, Nextstrain typing method, Pangolin classification method and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) typing method, the 15 2019-nCoV genome sequences could be divided into seven types, six types, eight types and five subtypes, respectively. Compared with Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, the median number of amino acid sequence mutation sites based on nucleotide translation was three (ranging from 0 to 12). D614G mutation of spike protein was identified from all six imported viral strains, which could enhance the transmissibility. No Alpha, Beta, or Gamma mutants, which also could enhance the transmissibility, was found in the genomic sequences of the imported cases. The median number of nucleotide mutation sites in 15 sequences was eight (ranging from three to 23).Conclusions:2019-nCoV is constantly mutating, and a variety of evolutionary lineages/genotypes have been derived. All imported viruses in Suzhou City carry mutations that can increase infectivity.

Objective:To disclose the epidemiological characteristics of the first human case of H9N2 subtype avian influenza and genetic characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) gene of H9N2 avian influenza virus in Jiangsu province.Methods:Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect the nucleic acid of influenza virus A/B and various subtypes from throat swab specimens of patients with acute and severe respiratory infections of unknown cause. Sanger method was used to sequence the vial HA gene of H9N2 positive specimens. N-J phylogenetic tree of HA gene was constructed by using MEGA X software.Results:The first laboratory confirmed case of human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus in Jiangsu province in March 2019 was reported by Suzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sequence analysis of the HA gene showed that the A/Suzhou/S683/2019 (H9N2) strain belonged to Y280-like sub-lineage of the Eurasian lineage, which had 99.23% nucleic acid identity with A/chicken/Shanghai/S1171/2018 (H9N2) strain. The amino acid sequence of the HA protein cleavage site is PSRSSR↓GLF, and the key amino acid in receptor binding site shared Q226L mutation. The location of potential glycosylation sites of HA protein of A/Suzhou/S683/2019 (H9N2) have changed.Conclusions:The H9N2 avian influenza virus obtained from the first case in Jiangsu province has low pathogenicity, but it may have acquired part of the ability to adapt to human hosts.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of outpatient screening in department of general surgery during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 57 patients who visited surgery clinic and emergency department of Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between February 1st and 26th in 2020 were collected. There were 30 males and 27 females, aged (53±16)years, with a range from 17 to 87 years. All the 57 patients were measured score of outpatient screening in department of general surgery. The score ≥3 indicated high risk and the score < 3 indicated low risk. Observation indicators: (1) clinical data of patients; (2) score of outpatient screening for COVID-19 of patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed by the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M (IQR), and comparison between groups was analyzed by the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results:(1) Clinical data of patients: of the 57 patients, there were 12 males and 14 females of the 26 confirmed or suspected cases, versus 18 males and 13 females of the 31 non-infection cases, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.805, P>0.05). The 26 confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 had an age of (57±16)years, and 31 non-infection cases had an age of (50±16) years, with no significant difference between the two groups ( t=-1.646, P>0.05). (2) Score of outpatient screening for COVID-19 of patients: the score of outpatient screening for COVID-19 of the 26 confirmed or suspected cases was 3.0(4.0), versus 1.0(1.0) of the 31 non-infection cases, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-3.695, P<0.05). There were 17 and 9 of the 26 confirmed or suspected cases with high risks and low risks, respectively, versus 3 and 28 of the 31 non-infection cases, with a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=19.266, P<0.05). Conclusion:During the COVID-19 outbreak, outpatient screening in department of general surgery can effectively screen out high-risk patients.

Bariatric surgery is an effective method for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Morbidly obese patients usually have metabolic syndromes, as such, surgeons need to choose the reasonable surgical methods for patients according to their individuality and particularity. Hiatal hernia is a very common disease prevalent in obese patients and could induce gastroesophageal reflux, which increases the difficulty of bariatric surgery and proposes higher demands on choice of surgical methods to surgeons. It is important to recognize the presence of the hiatal hernia preoperatively and choose a more effective procedure of bariatric surgery to decrease the incidence of postoperative complications.

Objective: To analyze epidemiological and genetic characteristics of the fifth avian influenza A (H7N9) wave in Suzhou, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of H7N9 virus infection. Methods: Respectively, influenza A/B, H1N1 (pdm09), H3, H5N1, and H7N9 real-time PCR kits were used to detected pharyngeal swab samples which were collected from severe acute respiratory syndrome infection (SARI) cases in Suzhou. The H7N9-positive samples were further examined for virus isolation and gene sequencing. Results: The H7N9 virus was mainly prevalent in winter in Suzhou City. In the fifth H7N9 virus epidemic, the overall fatality rate of human infection with H7N9 virus in Suzhou city was 40% (22/55). Additionally, most were older people (median age was 58 years) and more than 80% of H7N9 patients had live poultry exposure history. The nucleic acid homology of HA gene was 98.7-100%. There were no mutations in the key sites of the HA gene sequence. Conclusions The H7N9 virus can not be effectively spread in the crowd currently, with no significant changes in receptor binding sites (RBS). In addition, exposure to live poultry or contaminated environment is still the main source of human infection with H7N9. At present, the viruses circulating in Suzhou city are low pathogenic to poultry.

As one of the most common bariatric surgeries performed in clinics,vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is highly efficient for treating morbid obesity and diabetes,with its underlying mechanisms elusive and controversial.More and more studies regard obesity and diabetes as a kind of gastrointestinal disease.Moreover,the fact that gastrointestinal tract is the direct target of bariatric procedures potentially makes it a key player in weight loss and blood glucose control after surgery.From this aspect,authors thus discuss the molecular mechanisms of VSG for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in this review.