Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of artificial liver support therapy with an Evanure-4A selective membrane plasma separator and its influence on platelet count in the treatment of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)patients with different platelet counts.Methods A total of 302 patients with ACLF who were hospitalized in Department of Hepatology,Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center,from January 2021 to May 2023,were enrolled,and according to the platelet count(PLT),they were divided into group A(25×109/L—50×109/L)with 101 patients,group B(51×109/L—80×109/L)with 98 patients,and group C(81×109/L—100×109/L)with 103 patients.In addition to medical treatment,all patients received different modes of artificial liver support therapy based on their conditions,including plasma perfusion combined with plasma exchange,double plasma molecular adsorption combined with plasma exchange,and bilirubin system adsorption combined with plasma exchange.The paired t-test was used for comparison of continuous data before and after treatment in each group;an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the SNK-q test was used for further comparison between two groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups.Results Of all 302 patients,268(88.74%)achieved varying degrees of improvement in clinical symptoms after artificial liver support therapy.After treatment,all three groups had varying degrees of reductions in alanine aminotransferase(t=14.755,21.614,and 15.965,all P＜0.001),aspartate aminotransferase(t=11.491,19.301,and 13.919,all P＜0.001),total bilirubin(t=19.182,17.486,and 21.75,all P＜0.001),and international normalized ratio(INR)(t=3.497,3.327,and 4.358,all P＜0.05).After artificial liver support therapy with an Evanure-4A selective membrane plasma separator,PLT in group A decreased from(37.73±6.27)×109/L before treatment to(36.59±7.96)×109/L after treatment,PLT in group B decreased from(66.97±7.64)×109/L before treatment to(62.59±7.37)×109/L after treatment,and PLT in group C decreased from(93.82±5.38)×109/L before treatment to(85.99±12.49)×109/L after treatment;groups B and C had significant reductions in PLT after treatment(t=12.993 and 8.240,both P＜0.001),but there was no significant difference in group A(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions during artificial liver support therapy between the three groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Artificial liver support therapy can improve liver function and INR in patients with ACLF.The use of Evaure-4A selective membrane plasma separator during artificial liver support therapy has little influence on platelets,and it is safe in the treatment of ACLF patients with a significantly lower level of platelets.

Objective To investigate the value of a nomogram model constructed from intratumoral and peritumoral magnetic resonance imaging radiomics combined with clinical characteristics in predicting the status of lymphovascular space invasion(LVSI)in cervical cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 178 cervical cancer patients confirmed by postoperative pathology,with 70 cases of LVSI(+)and 108 cases of LVSI(-).The patients were divided into a training set[142 cases,including 54 cases of LVSI(+)and 88 cases of LVSI(-)]and a test set[36 cases,including 16 cases of LVSI(+)and 20 cases of LVSI(-)]at a ratio of 8:2.All underwent magnetic resonance imaging before surgery,and regions of interest were manually delineated layer by layer on the T2WI sequence,with the peritumoral region being uniformly expanded outward.Univariate logistic analysis was performed on clinical factors to select independent factors for cervical cancer LVSI(+).Radiomic features were extracted separately from the intratumoral region,the peritumoral region,and the intratumoral-peritumoral region to construct radiomics models,and the differences between the peritumoral and the intratumoral-peritumoral models were compared.A combined model was established based on the radiomics scores of the optimal intratumoral-peritumoral model and clinical independent predictive factors,and a nomogram was plotted.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each model,and decision curve analysis was used to assess the clinical value of the models.Results The combined model demonstrated the best performance among the various models,with AUC of 0.970 in the training set and 0.803 in the test set.Conclusion Intratumoral and peritumoral magnetic resonance imaging radiomics combined with clinical characteristics can effectively predict LVSI in cervical cancer.

Objective:To analyze the occurrence of early hypotony after the intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its risk factors.Methods:A case-control study was performed.One hundred and twenty-seven eyes of 127 patients with fundus vascular disease who received intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs were enrolled in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.Of the 127 patients, there were 71 males and 56 females, with an average age of (61.85±11.53) years and a mean intraocular pressure of (15.28±3.71)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). All subjects were intravitreally injected with 0.05 ml of anti-VEGF drugs, including 56 cases receiving ranibizumab, 38 cases receiving conbercept and 33 cases receiving aflibercept.The intraocular pressure was measured with a non-contact tonometer at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the injection.The cases were grouped as hypotony group or non-hypotony group according to the intraocular pressure of subjects was less than 10 mmHg or not.The differences in sex, age, distribution of left eye and right eye, disease type, intraocular pressure before injection, injection frequency, lens status, drug type, injection timing, injection site, with or without high myopia, with or without a history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, and with or without a history of vitreoretinal surgery were analyzed to investigate the factors with a P-value <0.05, which were used as the independent variable and the occurrence of hypotony as the dependent variable in logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors for hypotony.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEEC-2022-42). Results:Hopotony occurred in 8 eyes within 2 hours after the injection.There were significant differences in intraocular pressure at different time points before and after injection between the hypotony and non-hypotony groups ( Fgroup=62.177, P<0.001; Ftime=25.128, P<0.001). The intraocular pressure of the hypotony group at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after injection were lower than before injection, and the intraocular pressure of the non-hypotony group was higher at 30 minutes after injection than before injection (all at P<0.05). The average reduction of intraocular pressure of the hypotony group was 7.88, 7.63 and 7.23 mmHg at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the injection, and the intraocular pressure returned to baseline level at 1 day after injection.There was no significant difference in sex, distribution of left and right eyes, disease type, pre-injection intraocular pressure, injection frequency, lens status, drug type, injection timing, injection site, with or without a history of high myopia and with or without a history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension between the two groups.There were significant differences in age and with or without a history of vitreoretinal surgery between the two groups ( t=8.265, P<0.001; χ2=6.907, P=0.035). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed younger patients and having a history of vitreoretinal surgery were the risk factors for early hypotony after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection (odds ratio=88.563, P<0.001; odds ratio=20.991, P=0.009). Conclusions:Patients with younger age and having a history of vitreoretinal surgery are susceptible to early hypotony after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection.

Objective : To explore whether the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated after Newcastle disease virus (NDV) exposure to esophageal cancer ECA109 cells , whether its activation is related to K + efflux , and the effect of ATP/P2X7 axis on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Methods: The expression of NLRP3 and IL⁃1β was detected by Western blot; the content of IL⁃1β in the supernatant was detected by ELISA ; the formation of ASC spots was detected by fluorescence immunoassay; the change of intracellular K + concentration was detected by fluorescent probe technology; Interventions with ATPase , ATP and P2X7 receptor inhibitors were used to investigate their role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Results: Compared with the control group , the expression of NLRP3 , IL⁃1β and ASC protein in cells was up⁃regulated after NDV F3 infection ; the intracellular potassium concen tration decreased with the prolongation of infection time (P < 0. 05) . After the intervention of P2X7 receptor inhibitor, the efflux of intracellular K + was blocked. With the increase of inhibitor concentration , the efflux of K + was maximally inhibited at 10 μmol/L (P < 0. 05) . The results of ATPase and ATP intervention showed that ATPase inhibited K + efflux , while ATP promoted K + efflux. Western blot results showed that compared with the control group , P2X7 receptor was inhibited , and the expressions of NLRP3 and IL⁃1β were down⁃regulated ; after ATPase intervened cells , the expressions of NLRP3 and IL⁃1β decreased ; After ATP intervention in cells , the protein expressions of NLRP3 and IL⁃1β were up⁃regulated (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion NDV F3 infection of ECA109 cells can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome , the mechanism may be related to the ATP/P2X7 axis.

Objective:To investigate the effects of CT images reconstructed using different field of view (FOV) sizes on the automatic segmentation of organs at risk and dose calculation accuracy in radiotherapy after radical mastectomy.Methods:Under the same scanning conditions, CT values-electron density conversion curves were established by reconstructing the original CT images of a phantom placed at the isocenter and extended FOV (eFOV) positions using FOV sizes of 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm. Then, these curves were compared. A standard phantom with a known volume was scanned, and the automatic segmentation result of the phantom on CT images reconstructed using different FOV sizes was compared. A total of 30 patients in Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 with breast cancer were randomly selected. Through simulated positioning, their CT images were reconstructed using different FOV sizes for the purpose of automatic segmentation of organs at risk, followed by comparison between the outcomes of automatic segmentation and physicians′segmentation. The treatment plan established based on CT images reconstructed using a FOV size of 50 cm (FOV 50 images for short) was applied to CT images reconstructed using FOV sizes of 60, 70 and 80 cm (FOV 60, FOV 70 and FOV 80 images for short) for dose calculation, and the dose calculation result were compared. Results:The CT values - electron density conversion curves derived from CT images reconstructed using different FOV sizes were roughly consistent. At the isocenter, the difference between the segmented volume and actual volume of the standard phantom increased up to a maximum of 6 cm 3 (4.8%) with an increase in the FOV size. As indicated by the automatic segmentation result, the segmentation accuracy of the spinal cord, trachea, esophagus, thyroid, healthy mammary gland, and skin decreased with an increase in the FOV size ( t = -28.43-8.23, P < 0.05). The comparison of dose calculated based on CT images reconstructed using different FOV sizes showed that there was no statistically significant differences( P>0.05) in the dose to target volume ( V95) and the maximum and average doses in the supraclavicular lymph node region, as well as the dose to organs at risk. The coverage for planned target volume decreased with an increase in the FOV size, with a maximum difference of 4.06%. Conclusions:It is recommended that, for radiotherapy after radical mastectomy, FOV 50 images should be selected for the automatic segmentation of organs at risk, CT-values-electron density conversion curves should be established based on the electron density phantom images of the eFOV region, and the eFOV 80 images should be preferred for dose calculation.

Objective:To explore the effect of knockdown of the homeobox gene paired-box 6 ( Pax6) on the biological behavior and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human lens epithelial cells (LECs). Methods:The SRA01/04 human LECs were divided into small interfering RNA-Pax6 (siRNA-Pax6) group transfected with siRNA-Pax6 and siRNA negative control (siRNA-NC) group transfected with disordered siRNA.Cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit-8 method at 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfection.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry at 48 hours after transfection.Migratory capability of cells was examined by cell scratch test at 24 hours after transfection.The mRNA relative expression levels of Pax6, α-crystallin A (CRYAA), α-crystallin B (CRYAB), Sox2, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin were detected by quantitative real-time PCR at 48 hours after transfection.The relative expression of Pax6 protein was detected by Western blot at 48 hours after transfection.Results:There was a significant difference in cell survival rates at different time points between the two groups ( Fgroup=4.776, P<0.05; Ftime=13.535, P<0.05). The cell survival rate of siRNA-Pax6 group was obviously lower than that of siRNA-NC group at 48 and 72 hours after transfection, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Compared with siRNA-NC group, the proportion of cells in G 0/G 1 phase was significantly increased and the proportion of cells in S phase was significantly reduced in siRNA-Pax6 group ( t=9.971, -5.063; both at P<0.05). The cell migration rate of siRNA-Pax6 group was (19.73±6.07)%, which was lower than (70.56±2.97)% of siRNA-NC group, showing a statistically significant difference ( t=-7.245, P<0.05). The relative expressions of Sox2 mRNA and α-SMA mRNA were lower, and the relative expression of E-cadherin mRNA was higher in siRNA-Pax6 group than siRNA-NC group, with statistically significant differences between them ( t=-23.254, -5.294, 6.062; all at P<0.01). The relative expression of CRYAA mRNA and CRYAB mRNA was significantly higher in siRNA-Pax6 group than siRNA-NC group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.521, 8.270; both at P<0.01). The relative expressions of Pax6 mRNA and protein in siRNA-Pax6 group were 0.27±0.01 and 0.24±0.05, respectively, which were both lower than 1.00±0.05 and 1.14±0.10 in siRNA-NC group, showing statistically significant differences ( t=-14.456, -4.458; both at P<0.001). Conclusions:Silence of Pax6 can suppress the proliferation and EMT of human LECs and enhance the expression of crystallin.

Purpose: To determine the risk factors predicting upper urinary tract (UUT) damage using a grading system for upper urinary tract dilation (UUTD) and a descriptive system for all urinary tract dysfunction (AUTD) in patients with myelodysplasia. Methods: Six hundred thirty-seven patients with myelodysplasia were evaluated at our center from January 2008 to November 2019. Clinical data, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance urography, and video-urodynamics (VUDS) parameters were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the risk factors predicting UUT damage. Results: Three hundred eighty-three males and 254 females were included. The average course of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was 14.08±7.07 years (range, 3–31 years). The urodynamic diagnoses of all patients were as follows: detrusor overactivity, 26.8%; detrusor underactivity, 6.44%; and acontractile detrusor, 66.72%. UUT damage was determined in 66.56% of the patients. Of the patients, 28.73 % had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) during filling (bilateral, n=50; unilateral, n=133) on fluoroscopy during VUDS testing. Two hundred thirty-four patients had UUTD (bilateral, n=203; unilateral, n=31). The occurrence of hydronephrosis based on ultrasonography was closely related to ipsilateral VUR (P<0.05). Absent of bladder sensation, long-term course of LUTS, decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) and bladder compliance (BC), and increased postvoid residual urine (PVR) were shown to be independent risk factors in logistic regression analysis. Conclusions This retrospective study using UUTD and AUTD systems indicated that patients with myelodysplasia have a high incidence of UUT damage. Absence of bladder sensation, long-term course of LUTS, decreased MCC and BC, and increased PVR were independent risk factors predicting UUT damage.

Objective:To study the clinical features and drug resistance profile of neonatal sepsis caused by different species of Klebsiella.Methods:From January 2009 to December 2018, cryopreserved Klebsiella strains from blood culture of neonatal sepsis cases in NICU of our hospital were reactivated. Molecular identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. Clinical features, laboratory tests, drug resistance profile and prognosis of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:A total of 29 strains of Klebsiella were reactivated. Molecular identification assigned 22 cases (75.9%) into Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) group and 7 cases (24.1%) into Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (Kqu) group. Gestational age and birth weight of Kpn group were higher than Kqu group [(33.1±3.2) weeks vs. (30.6±0.9) weeks, (1 847±677) g vs. (1 416±121) g] ( P<0.05). Abdominal distension was more common in Kqu group than Kpn group [42.9% (3/7) vs. 4.5% (1/22), P<0.05]. No significant differences existed in the laboratory tests including white blood cell count, platelet count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein and procalcitonin between the two groups ( P>0.05). Kpn was 100.0% sensitive to Cefazolin-Tazobactam and Amikacinto and less sensitive to Imipenem and Cefperazone-Sulbactam, Meropenem and Ertapenem. Kqu was generally more sensitive than Kpn and the sensitivity of Kqu to Imipenem was 100.0%. No significant differences existed of the prognosis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Kpn is the main pathogen of neonatal Klebsiella sepsis. Kqu sepsis is more common in neonates with smaller gestational age and lower birth weight. Abdominal distention is common presenting symptom in Kpn sepsis and sensitive antibiotics should be used early.

Objective:To investigate the role of hydrogen-rich salt water in improving depression-like symptoms and its possible molecular mechanism in rats.Methods:The experiment was divided into two stages. In the first stage, 35 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group ( n=7); rats in the control group and model group were gavaged with 8 mL/kg normal saline per d, and rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group were fed with 8 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline water (containing 2, 1, and 0.5 ppm hydrogen) per d; except for the control group, the other groups were depressed with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for 4 weeks. In the second stage, 30 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into hydrogen water group, hydrogen water+fluoxetine group, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibition group ( n=10); optimal hydrogen concentration (0.8 ppm) hydrogen-rich saline water (8 mL/kg) per d was given to rats of these 3 groups by gavage; fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the hydrogen-water+fluoxetine group, and all-transretinoic acid (10 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the Nrf2 inhibition group; CUMS was given for 4 weeks in these 3 groups. Rats were weighed at fixed times at each weekend. Four weeks after intervention, the total distance and average speed of rats in each group were determined by open field test. After open field test, blood was collected from the orbital veins from all rats; serum superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined by ELISA. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Nrf2, and phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2) in the hippocampal CA3 region were detected by Western blotting. Results:(1) In the first stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the model group, the body weight of the rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the model group, the medium-dose group, and low-dose group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, significantly increased BDNF and HO-1 expressions and decreased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). (2) In the second stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the body weight of the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, statistically increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, and the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). As compared with the hydrogen water group, the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions and increased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hydrogen-rich salt water can increase the serum SOD and reduce the serum MDA, increase the BDNF and HO-1 protein expressions in the hippocampal areas of depressed rats, thereby improving the depression-like symptoms; the synergistic effect of hydrogen-rich saline water and fluoxetine on anti-depression may be related to antioxidant effect of Nrf2 signaling.