Objective:To explore the value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in evaluating the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) in treating spinal cord injury.Methods:The modified Allen′s method was used to induce a traumatic spinal cord injury in 30 rats who were then divided randomly into an injured group and a treatment group, each of 15. The treatment group was given HOT twice a day for 3 days, then once a day for a total of 4 weeks. The injured group did not receive HOT. DTI was performed (along with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) evaluation) at 0h, 6h, 24h, as well as 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the operation. Two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to analyze any differences in the DTI results: the fractional anisotropy, mean apparent diffusivity, radial diffusivity and axial diffusivity, as well as the BBB scores. LSD t-tests were performed to analyze the significance of the differences at different time points.Results:At each time point after 24h the average FA value of the treatment group was significantly higher than the injured group′s average, while its average MD and RD values were significantly lower. Beyond 14 days the average AD value of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the injured group. The treatment group′s average BBB score was also significantly higher at all the time points beyond 3 days.Conclusions:DTI results can evaluate spinal cord function and provide valuable information for the dynamic assessment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy after a traumatic spinal cord injury, and the therapy promotes the recovery of motor function, at least in rats.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT)features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitalswere retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in thetraining cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in thevalidation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, ordeath. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. Anomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance wasexternally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on theclinical and radiological attributes alone. Results: Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohortexperienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67–6.71;p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04–0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03–4.48;p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76–0.88),and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82–0.96). The combinedmodel provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). Conclusion Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverseoutcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predictingadverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

Objective: To observe the application of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block(FNB) and popliteal sciatic nerve block(PSNB) in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery. Methods: From August 2015 to August 2017, 60 patients scheduled for foot and ankle surgery undergoing laryngeal mask airway (LMA) general anesthesia in the People′s Hospital of Langfang were randomly divided into 3 groups by the random number table, with 20 cases in each group.Before transfer patients from bed to operating table, A group received dezocine 5 mg iv, B group received FNB combined with PSNB(distal to the sciatic nerve bifurcation), C group received FNB combined with PSNB(proximal to the sciatic nerve bifurcation). A total of 40 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine were injected guided by ultrasound in B group and C group.The time of sufficient sensory block and awake, the dosage of remifentanil and propofol were recorded.Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) pre- and post block.The incidence of sleepiness, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), agitation, pain and adverse reaction were also recorded. Results: The time of sufficient sensory block and awake, the dosage of remifentanil and propofol in A, B and C group: A group(not measured), (21.6±1.6)min, (1183±17)μg, (665.0±6.7)mg; B group (25.5±2.5)min, (15.3±1.4)min, (635±16)μg, (455.0±6.5)mg; C group (19.6±2.3)min, (14.9±1.5)min, (598±14)μg, (438.0±9.9)mg.The time of awake, the dosage of remifentanil and propofol in B group and C group were significantly lower than those in A group (F=44.07, 52.41, 62.45, all P<0.05). The time of sufficient sensory block in C group was lower than that in B group(t=15.69, P<0.05). The VAS scores at T2, T3 and T4 in A, B and C group: A group (4.5±0.6)point, (8.4±0.5)point, (6.1±0.9)point; B group (2.6±0.5)point, (3.9±0.3)point, (2.4±0.6)point; C group (2.5±0.4)point, (2.3±0.5)point, (1.1±0.5)point.The VAS scores in B group or C group were significantly lower than those in A group (F=52.36, 72.82, 75.41, all P<0.05). The VAS scores at T3 and T4 in C group were significantly lower than those in B group (t=18.42, q=14.55, all P<0.05). The incidence rates of sleepiness, PONV, agitation and incision pain in A, B and C group: A group (25%, 25%, 15%, 15%, 50%); B group(0%, 5%, 0%, 0%, 10%); C group(0%, 5%, 0%, 0%, 0%). The number of patients who had adverse reactions in B or C group were significantly lower than those in A group (χ²=8.51, 8.73, 10.11, 10.11, 9.69, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of incision pain at sober in C group was lower than that in B group(χ²=10.89, P<0.05). Conclusion The ultrasound-guided FNB and PSNB(proximal to the sciatic nerve bifurcation) can obviously shorten the onset time, reduce the dosage of general anaesthetic.It has effective analgesia during transfer of patients from bed to operating table and sober.

Objective To explore the value of DTI quantitative parameters in evaluating neurological function changes of acute traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI)in rat models.Methods The modified Allen's dropping weight technique was used to establish TSCI rat models.Then the rats were divided into mild injury group,moderate injury group and severe injury group (each n=10).DTI examination and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score were performed pre-TSCI and 0 h,6 h,24 h,3 day,7 day and 14 day post-TSCI,respectively.The BBB scores and DTI parameters,including FA,mean apparent diffusivity (MD),radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) were measured and compared among groups.The correlation between BBB scores and the parameters was evaluated.Results The differences of FA,MD and RD value were statistically significant among varying injury degree groups and different time points after TSCI (all P＜0.05).AD value had statistical difference among different time points (F=12.720,P＜0.001),whereas no difference was found among varying injury degree groups (F=0.469,P=0.630).FA and MD values decreased while RD increased 0 h post-TSCI.Then RD and MD increased continuously,whereas FA decreased continuously until 24 h post TSCI (all P＜0.05),and the parameters kept stable after 24 h post-TSCI (all P＞ 0.05).The BBB scores were lowest on 0 h post-TSCI,then maintained increasing (all P＜0.05).In addition,the BBB scores and MD values had good correlation (r=0.958,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion DTI can quantitatively evaluate function changes of TSCI in rat models.Moreover,treatment within 24 h post-TSCI might be recommended for TSCI therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of CCL21 on the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODSCCL21 over-expressing CRC cell line was constructed by lentivirus infection and CCL21 low-expressing CRC cell line was constructed by lipofection. The effects of CCL21 on the invasion and metastasis of CRC cells and the stem cell-like phenotype were investigated by Transwell migration, invasion assay, wound healing assay and sphere formation assay.

RESULTSReal-time quantitative PCR and western blot confirmed that the expression of CCL21 was up-regulated by lentiviral transfection and down-regulated by siRNA liposome transfection. In vitro, Transwell assays showed that the invasion and migration in CCL21 over-expressing CRC cells decreased significantly as compared to those of CCL21 low-expressing cells. In wound healing assay, the CCL21 over-expressing CRC cells showed a significantly lower rate of migration. In addition, the sphere formation rate and density of CCL21 over-expressing CRC cells were lower than those with low-expression of CCL21.

CONCLUSIONCCL21 can suppress the migration and invasion of CRC cells and weaken their stem cell-like phenotype.

Objective To observe the application of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block (FNB) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block (LFCNB) for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Methods 60 patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery undergoing LMA general anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups,20 cases in each group.Before transfer patients from bed to operating table,A group received dezocine 5mg iv,B group received fascia iliaca compartment block(FICB),C group received FNB combined with LFCNB.40mL of 0.375％ ropivacaine was injected guiding by ultrasound in B group and C group.The time of sufficient sensory block and awake,the dosage of propofol and remifentanil,MAP and HR at pre-block (T1),20min after block (T2),transfer bed (T3),LMA insert (T4),skin incision(T5),LMA remove(T6) and sober(T7) were recorded.Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale(VAS) pre-and post block.The incidence of using vasoactive drugs,agitation,pain and adverse reaction were also recorded.Results The time of sufficient sensory block and awake,the dosage of propofol and remifentanil in A,B and C groups were as following:A group (not measured),(20.3 ± 1.3) min,(835 ± 6.7) mg,(1 285 ± 18) μg;B group (i2.2 ±2.7)min,(13.3 ± 1.4)min,(610 ±9.9)mg,(835 ± 15) μg;C group (9.7 ± 2.4)min,(12.8 ± 1.5) min,(555 ± 6.5) mg,(785 ± 16) μg.The time of awake,the dosage of propofol and remifentanil in B group and C group were significantly lower than those in A group(F =2.62,2.41,2.45,all P ＜ 0.05).The time of sufficient sensory block in C group was lower than that in B group (p ＜ 0.05).The MAP and HR at T2,T3,T5 and T7 in A,B and C groups were:A group (115 ± 4) mmHg,(90 ± 8) beats/min,(135 ± 6) mmHg,(98 ± 8) beats/min,(104 ±6) mmHg,(87 ± 4) beats/min,(120 ± 5) mmHg,(88 ± 8) beats/min;B group (102 ± 3) mmHg,(81 ± 6) beats/min,(112 ± 5)mmHg,(82 ± 8)beats/min,(89 ±6) mmHg,(72 ± 3) beats/min,(100 ±6)mmHg,(76 ± 8) beats/min;Cgroup (100 ± 3) mmHg,(80 x 6) beats/min,(109 ± 6) mmHg,(83 ± 5) beats/min,(86 ± 5) mmHg,(70 ± 3) beats/min,(99 ± 5) mmHg,(75 ± 5) beats/min.The levels of MAP and HR in B group and C group were significantly lower thanthose in A group(F =2.25,2.85,2.87,2.91,all P ＜ 0.05).The VAS scores at T2,T3,and T7in A,B and C groupswere:A group (3.9 ± 0.7) points,(8.2 ± 0.3) points,(6.0 ± 0.8) points;B group (2.3 ± 0.4) points,(4.1 ±0.4) points,(2.2 ± 0.7) points;C group (2.1 ± 0.5) points,(2.4 ± 0.4) points,(1.2 ± 0.4) points.The VAS scoresin B group and C group were significantly lower than those in A group (2.36,2.82,2.88,all P ＜ 0.05).The VASscores at transfer bed and sober in C group were significantly lower than those in B group (F =2.32,2.38,all P ＜0.05).The incidence of using ephedrine/atropine,urapidil/esmolol,PONV,agitation,pain and incision pain in A,Band C groups were:A group 30％,30％,25％,25％,40％;B group 10％,10％,0％,0％,10％;C group 10％,5％,0％,0％,0％.The number of patients who required vasoactive drugs and adverse reaction in B group and C group were significantly lower than those in A group(x2 =7.58,8.81,9.11,9.11,8.89,all P ＜0.05).The incidence of incision pain at sober in C group was lower than that in B group(x2 =9.21,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The ultrasound -guided FNB and LFCNB can obviously shorten the onset time,reduce the dosage of general anaesthetic and maintain the stability of henodynamics during the perioperative period.It has effective analgesia during transfer of patients from bed to operating table and sober.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of G protein-coupled receptor 31 (GPR31) in colorectal cancer tissue.

METHODSCancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 321 cases with colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology and undergoing resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1996 to December 2008 were collected. The expression of GPR31 was examined by immunohistochemical staining. According to the expression level of GPR31 (A value=0.051), all the patients were divided into low GPR31 expression group and high GPR31 expression group. Clinicopathology and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Risk factors affecting prognosis were investigated.

RESULTSGPR31 expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (mean A, 0.063±0.014 vs. 0.045±0.020, P<0.001). A total of 197 cancer tissue samples were defined as low expression and 124 as high expression. Significant difference was observed in the number of patient in pM classification between the two groups (P=0.007). High expression group had obviously higher distant metastasis rate than low expression group [12.1% (15/124) vs. 4.1% (8/197), P=0.007]. The 5-year survival rate and tumor-free survival rate were 84.3% and 82.2% in the low expression group, and both 59.7% in high expression group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed elderly, abnormal CEA, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and up-regulated GPR31 expression were independent risk factors of overall survival and disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGPR31 expression is significantly up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues. High GPR31expression indicates poor prognosis of colorectal cancer, and may be used as a predictive marker.

Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Up-Regulation

Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Interleukin-36α (IL-36α) in colorectal cancer.Methods The expression of IL-36α was tested by immunohistochemical staining in 329 cases of colorectal cancer.According to the intensity and the proportion of positive tumor cells,all the patients were divided into IL-36α low and high expression groups.The clinicopathological factors and prognosis of patients between IL-36α low high expression groups were compared.Results Significant differences were observed in the number of patients in tumor differentiation and pM classification between patients in the IL-36α low and high expression groups (P ＜ 0.05).The 5-year overall and tumorfree survival rates of patients were 79.3％ and 77.2％ in IL-36α low expression group,and 66.3％ and 65.3％ in IL-36α high expression group (P ＜0.05).COX proportional hazard regression model revealed that high expression of IL-36α was associated with short overall survival time and tumor-free survival time of colorectal cancer patients (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate analysis identified IL-36α expression in colorectal cancer as an independent prognosticator (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions High expression of IL-36α was correlated with tumor differentiation and pM classification of colorectal cancers,and it is an independent predictor of poor survival for patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of G protein-coupled receptor 31(GPR31) in colorectal cancer tissue. Methods Cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 321 cases with colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology and undergoing resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1996 to December 2008 were collected. The expression of GPR31 was examined by immunohistochemical staining. According to the expression level of GPR31 (A value=0.051), all the patients were divided into low GPR31 expression group and high GPR31 expression group. Clinicopathology and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Risk factors affecting prognosis were investigated. Results GPR31 expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (mean A, 0.063±0.014 vs. 0.045±0.020, P<0.001). A total of 197 cancer tissue samples were defined as low expression and 124 as high expression. Significant difference was observed in the number of patient in pM classification between the two groups (P=0.007). High expression group had obviously higher distant metastasis rate than low expression group [12.1%(15/124) vs. 4.1%(8/197), P=0.007]. The 5-year survival rate and tumor-free survival rate were 84.3% and 82.2% in the low expression group, and both 59.7% in high expression group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed elderly, abnormal CEA, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and up-regulated GPR31 expression were independent risk factors of overall survival and disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions GPR31 expression is significantly up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues. High GPR31expression indicates poor prognosis of colorectal cancer, and may be used as a predictive marker.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of G protein-coupled receptor 31(GPR31) in colorectal cancer tissue. Methods Cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 321 cases with colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology and undergoing resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1996 to December 2008 were collected. The expression of GPR31 was examined by immunohistochemical staining. According to the expression level of GPR31 (A value=0.051), all the patients were divided into low GPR31 expression group and high GPR31 expression group. Clinicopathology and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Risk factors affecting prognosis were investigated. Results GPR31 expression was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (mean A, 0.063±0.014 vs. 0.045±0.020, P<0.001). A total of 197 cancer tissue samples were defined as low expression and 124 as high expression. Significant difference was observed in the number of patient in pM classification between the two groups (P=0.007). High expression group had obviously higher distant metastasis rate than low expression group [12.1%(15/124) vs. 4.1%(8/197), P=0.007]. The 5-year survival rate and tumor-free survival rate were 84.3% and 82.2% in the low expression group, and both 59.7% in high expression group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed elderly, abnormal CEA, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and up-regulated GPR31 expression were independent risk factors of overall survival and disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions GPR31 expression is significantly up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues. High GPR31expression indicates poor prognosis of colorectal cancer, and may be used as a predictive marker.