Background:Following the short-term outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)in December 2022 in China,clinical data on kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)with COVID-19 are lacking.Methods:We conducted a single-center retrospective study to describe the clinical features,complications,and mortality rates of hospitalized KTRs infected with COVID-19 between Dec.16,2022 and Jan.31,2023.The patients were followed up until Mar.31,2023.Results:A total of 324 KTRs with COVID-19 were included.The median age was 49 years.The median time between the onset of symptoms and admission was 13 d.Molnupiravir,azvudine,and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were administered to 67(20.7%),11(3.4%),and 148(45.7%)patients,respectively.Twenty-nine(9.0%)patients were treated with more than one antiviral agent.Forty-eight(14.8%)patients were treated with tocilizumab and 53(16.4%)patients received baricitinib therapy.The acute kidney injury(AKI)occurred in 81(25.0%)patients and 39(12.0%)patients were admitted to intensive care units.Fungal infections were observed in 55(17.0%)patients.Fifty(15.4%)patients lost their graft.The 28-d mortality rate of patients was 9.0%and 42(13.0%)patients died by the end of follow-up.Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that cerebrovascular disease,AKI incidence,interleukin(IL)-6 level of>6.8 pg/mL,daily dose of corticosteroids of>50 mg,and fungal infection were all associated with an increased risk of death for hospitalized patients.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that hospitalized KTRs with COVID-19 are at high risk of mortality.The administration of immunomodulators or the late application of antiviral drugs does not improve patient survival,while higher doses of corticosteroids may increase the death risk.

Purpose: The interval between neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and surgery for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains controversial. At the same time, the prognostic effect of delayed surgery in patients with poor responses is currently unclear. Methods: Data was collected from patients who had poor responses to NAC and underwent modified radical surgery from January 2013 to December 2018. The interval from completion of NAC to surgery was divided into two groups: a longer (greater than four weeks) or shorter (four weeks or less) interval. The associations of these interval groups with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated by multivariable Cox models adjusting for the existing prognostic factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize election bias. Results: A total of 1,229 patients (mean age, 47.2 ± 8.9 years; median follow-up duration, 32.67 [6.57–52.63] months) were included. The 5-year OS rates were 73.2% and 60.8% in the shorter (n = 171) and longer interval group (n = 1,058), respectively, while the 3-year RFS rates were 80.8% and 71.7%, respectively. In multivariate Cox analysis, the longer interval was associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.02; p = 0.046) and recurrence (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.12–1.99; p = 0.006).There was an interaction between the molecular subtype and the surgery interval for OS (pinteraction = 0.014) and RFS (pinteraction = 0.027). After PSM, no significant difference in OS (p = 0.180) and RFS (p = 0.069) was observed between the two groups. Conclusion Among LABC patients with a poor response, those with a longer interval between NAC and surgery had worse OS and RFS. The results indicate that these patients should receive modified radical surgery timely, which may in turn improve their prognosis.

Objective To systematically review the epidemiological studies on primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and to investigate the prevalence rate of PBC in the Chinese general population and its influencing factors. Methods PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang Data were searched for articles on the epidemiology of PBC in China published up to 31th March 2022. Two researchers independently performed screening and data extraction, and then related analyses were performed. Results A total of 9 articles were included. The positive rate of AMA was 1 049.05/100 000 (ranging fr om 159.65/100 000 to 2287.40/100 000), and the prevalence rate of PBC was 123.68/100 000 (ranging from 42.70/100 000 to 276.59/100 000). The positive rate of AMA was 636.51/100 000 (ranging from 52.55/100 000 to 1 164.33/100 000) in men and 1 265.47/100 000 (ranging from 225.23/100 000 to 1 704.93/100 000) in women, with a male/female ratio of 1∶1.99 for the prevalence rate of AMA. The prevalence rate of PBC was 40.81/100 000 (ranging from 23.54/100 000 to 75.10/100 000) in men and 148.71/100 000 (ranging from 77.36/100 000 to 214.91/100 000) in women, with a male/female ratio of 1∶3.64 for the prevalence rate of PBC. Conclusion Different studies show great differences in the positive rate of AMA and the prevalence rate of PBC in the Chinese general population, which is mainly affected by sex, age, and region. The positive rate of AMA and the prevalence rate of PBC increase with age, and the patients aged ≥50 years have a significantly higher positive rate of AMA than those aged < 50 years. The positive rate of AMA is significantly higher than the prevalence rate of PBC. There are significantly more women than men in the AMA-positive population and the PBC patients, and the influence of sex on AMA is lower than that on PBC.

Objective To explore the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilation in treatment of esophageal stenosis caused by operation of congenital esophageal atresia. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on data of 218 children with type Ⅲ esophageal atresia, who underwent surgery in Zhengzhou Children' s Hospital from January 2009 to December 2017. The occurrence of postoperative complications and efficacy of endoscopic balloon dilation in treatment of esophageal stenosis was analyzed. Results Among the 218 patients with congenital esophageal atresia, 92 were type Ⅲa and 126 were type Ⅲb. Postoperative anastomotic leakage occurred in 46 cases (21. 1％), including 29 (31. 5％) of type Ⅲa and 17 (13. 5％) of type Ⅲb. Postoperative anastomotic stenosis occurred in 53 cases (24. 3％), including 29 ( 31. 5％) of type Ⅲa and 24 ( 19. 0％) of typeⅢb. The incidence of anastomotic leakage and anastomotic stenosis in different types was significantly different (χ2=10. 383, P=0. 001; χ2=4. 497, P=0. 034). The 53 cases of anastomotic stenosis underwent 123 times of endoscopic balloon dilation, with mean time of 3. 5±1. 6, and were finally clinically recovery. No esophagus perforation occurred. Among them, 29 cases of type Ⅲa underwent 73 times with mean of 4. 0±1. 8, and 24 cases of type Ⅲb underwent 50 times with mean of 2. 5±0. 7. The difference between the two types was statistically significant (t=-4. 053, P=0. 027). Conclusion Children with type Ⅲa esophageal atresia has a higher incidence of anastomotic stenosis and leakage, and more times of esophageal dilation. Endoscopic balloon dilation is safe and effective in treatment of esophageal stenosis after surgery for patients with congenital esophageal atresia.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods From May 2015 to July 2017,149 patients with gastric cancer in our department were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into the ERAS group (n =75) and control group (n =74).Results In ERAS group compared to control group,the time to first passage of flatus was (51 ± 11)vs.(62 ± 11)h,first feeding time (46 ± 12) vs.(68 ±20)h,gastric tube removal time (13 ± 12)h vs.(70 ± 16) h,pain score on the first day after surgery (3.9 ±1.3) vs.(5.2 ±0.9),C-reaction protein level (8.5 ±2.6) mg/L vs.(10.1 ±3.0)mg/L,post-op hospital stay (6.9 ± 2.9) d vs.(11.2 ± 3.5) d,were all significantly different (all P ＜ 0.05).The postoperative complication rates was 25％ vs.28％ respectively,(x2 =0.101,P =0.750).Conclusions Enhanced recovery after surgery can promote the postoperative recovery and shorten the time of hospitalization in laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate value of peripheral NLR and PLR for the survival of patients with neuroblastoma.Methods The clinical data of 41 neuroblastoma patients were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier,Log-rank test,and multivariate COX regression.Results NLR,PLR levels of neuroblastoma patients were significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (1.81 ±0.29 vs.1.07 ±0.29,P ＜ 0.01) (169 ± 23 vs.76 ± 3,P ＜ 0.01);The elder the age,the higher the clinical stages,the higher the serum levels of NSE,and urine VMA were,the higher was the NLR (x2 =3.93,6.286,7.676,6.689,all P＜0.05) and PLR (x2 =4.111,5.707,8.019,8.922,all P ＜0.05).The higher the serum level of LDH,the higher was the NLR (x2 =7.769,P =0.02).3-year overall survival in low NLR group was 84％ and that in high NLR group was 73％ (x2 =4.002,P =0.045);3-year progression-free survival in low NLR group was 74％ and that in high NLR group was 50％ (x2 =4.082,P =0.043);3-year progression-free survival of low PLR group was 85％ and high PLR group was 38％ (x2 =9.388,P =0.002).The clinical stages,MYCN genetic expression,NLR levels were independent factors for the overall survial in patients with neuroblastoma (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Pretreatment NLR level can effectively predict the prognosis of neuroblastoma.

Objective To identify the risk factors for postoperative complications after radical resection of rectal cancer, and study the influence of high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery on postoperative complications of rectal cancer. Methods Clinical data of the patients who underwent radical resection of rectal cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2011 to December 2015 were analyzed. The χ 2test and t test were used for all the data. Results A total of 431 patients with rectal cancer were included, of which 80 cases were excluded, and finally 351 cases met the standard. Among them, 196 cases were in high ligation group, and 155 cases were in low ligation group. The total incidence of postoperative complications was 20.4 %(40/196) in the high ligation group and 27.1 %(42/155)in the low ligation group respectively,the difference of which was not statistically significant(χ2=1.336, P= 0.245). The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 10.2 % (20/196) in the high ligation group and 7.7 % (12/155) in the low ligation group respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (χ2=0.529, P= 0.467). Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender (OR= 2.102, 95 % CI 1.278-3.459, P=0.003), body mass index (OR= 2.492, 95 % CI 1.070-5.800, P= 0.027), with or without anemia before surgery(OR=2.203,95 % CI 1.085-4.472,P=0.029), and location of tumor(OR=2.861, 95 % CI 1.288-16.007,P=0.019) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Conclusions High ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications after radical resection of rectal cancer. Anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection is related to gender, body mass index,with or without anemia before surgery,and location of tumor.

Background Researches showed that transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) promotes the activity of human Tenon capsular fibroblasts (TFs),which plays a role in the scarring of filtering blebs after antiglaucoma surgery.However,its mechanism is not fully clear.Lysyl oxidases (LOXs) are important extracellular matrix proteases which can catalyze the cross-linking of collagen and elastin.Investigating the impact of TGF-β2 on the expression of LOXs has a great significance for the understanding of the pathogenesis of filtering bleb scarring and its prevention.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of TGF-β2 on the expression of LOXs in cultured human TFs.Methods The TFs at 4-8 generations were divided into normal control group and different concentrations of TGF-β2 treated-groups,and 100,200,400,800 μ1 of TGF-β2 with the final concentration of 2,4,8 and 16 ng/ml was added into the medium to treat human TFs respectively for 24 hours.The LOXs in the cells were detected by Western blot to determine the optimal dose of TGF-β2.The 4 ng/ml TGF-β2(200 μ1) was used to treat human TFs for 6,12,24 and 48 hours respectively,and the change of LOXs expression in the cells over time was assayed by Western blot.The expression and distribution of LOX protein in the normal cells and TGF-β2-treated cells was detected by using immunofluorescence technique.This study was approved by Daping Hospital of Third Military Medical University Ethic Commission.The guardians of the patients who offered the specimen knew the purpose of the study and signed informed consent.Results Western blot assay showed that the expressions of LOX,LOXL1,LOXL2,LOXL3 and LOXL4 in the cells were gradually elevated from the normal control group and 2,4,8,16 ng/ml TGF-β2-treated groups,showing significant differences among the groups (F =37.338,13.438,31.067,11.767,15.167,all at P＜0.01).The expression of LOXL2 protein in the cells was 0.68±0.07,1.09±0.10,1.32±0.07,1.50± 0.06 and 1.89±0.12 in the normal control group and 6-,12-,24-and 48-hour groups respectively after 4 ng/ml TGF-β2 treatment,with a significant increase over time (F =82.832,P=0.000).The expression of LOX was weak in the normal cultured TFs,while the fluorescence intensity of LOX expression was evidently enhanced in the cytoplasm of the cells in the TGF-β2-treated group.Conclusions TGF-β2 upregulates the expressions of LOXs in human TFs in a dose-and time-dependent manner,which probably offers a basis for the further study on the prevention of filtering bleb scarring after glaucoma surgery.

Objective To establish a simple scoring system for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to observe its sensitivity and specificity. Methods Two hundred and thirty-three patients diagnosed as CHB by liver biopsy were divided into model group (N = 154) and validation group (N = 79). The general information, biochemical parameters and imaging data of all patients were observed. With hepatic fibrosis being obvious or not as the end point of primary study in the model group, we established a simple scoring system for the diagnosis. The cut-off, sensitivity and specificity of the system were tested in the model group by ROC curve, and its diagnostic efficacy was tested in the validation group. Results(1) A simple scoring system for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis called MDFS was established in the model group, and the dimensions of the system included sex, HBV-DNA, Fibroscan (FS) value and splenomegaly. In MDFS, male, HBV-DNA≥ 107 U/mL,FS value≥7.3 kPa, and splenomegaly were assigned 1 point, -2 points, 3 points, and 2 points respectively. (2) The best cut-off value in MDFS was 2 points.(3) ROC curve of the model group indicated that the specificity and sensitivity were 92.86% and 54.76% respectively, the area under curve(AUC) was 0.790, and the Youden index was 0.4762. In the validation group, the diagnostic cut-off value was over 2 points, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were 52.17%, 82.35%, 2.96, and 0.58 respectively. (4) The scoring results of MDFS for different traditional Chinese medical syndromes of CHB showed that the scores of blood stasis blocking collaterals > damp-heat accumulation > deficiency of spleen and kidney yang> liver depression and spleen deficiency = stagnation of liver Qi. Conclusion The MDFS diagnostic scoring system has medium efficiency. The specificity of MDFS is relatively high and MDFs has a relatively low misdiagnosis rate for the diagnosis of obvious hepatic fibrosis in CHB. The MDFS is expected to be a noninvasive and simple diagnosing way for hepatic fibrosis in CHB.

Objective To explore the effect of collaborative nursing on the quality of life and nursing of stroke patients. Methods Toally 84 care-givers for 84 stroke patients hospitalized during February 2014 to March 2016 were chosen. In the control group(hospitalized from Feburary 2013 to Feburary 2014), traditional nursing was carried out, while in the research group(hospitalized from March 2014 to March 2016), the collaborative care intervention was done. The comparisons were done between the two groups in terms of quality of life and care ability by the GHQ-28 quality of life scale assessment, family caregiver task inventory (FCTI) before the intervention and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, the two groups had no significant differences in life quality and care ability (all P > 0.05). After the intervention, the scores on symptoms, anxiety, depression, insomnia and social dysfunction were all significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). The scores on the care role, strain, assistance, personal emotion control, family assessment and community resources, and adjustment of life to meet the care needs were all significantly lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusions The collaborative care is effective in improving the quality of life of stroke patients. It can improve the care ability of the caregiver.