Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).Methods:This study is a retrospective case series analysis. Between January 2020 and December 2022, a total of 103 patients were diagnosed as LAPC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them, 26 patients (25.2%) underwent the TRIANGLE operation. There were 15 males and 11 females,with a age of (59±7) years (range: 49 to 74 years). The pre-treatment serum CA19-9( M(IQR)) was 248.8(391.6)U/ml (range: 0 to 1 428 U/ml),and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 4.1(3.8)μg/L(range: 1.4 to 13.4 μg/L). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens included: mFOLFIRINOX regimen in 6 cases(23.1%), GnP regimen in 14 cases(53.8%), and mFOLFIRINOX+GnP regimen in 6 cases(23.1%). The follow-up duration extended until June 2023 or until the occurrence of the patient′s death or loss to follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates. Results:After neoadjuvant chemotherapy,CA19-9 levels decreased by 92.3(40.1)%(range:2.1% to 97.7%). Evaluation of the response to treatment revealed 13 cases(50.0%) of stable disease,11 cases(42.3%) of partial response,and 2 cases(7.7%) of complete response. The surgical operation consisted of 12 cases(46.2%) of pancreaticoduodenectomy,12 cases(46.2%) of distal pancreatectomy,and 2 cases(7.7%) of total pancreatectomy. Margin determination was based on the “standardised pathology protocol” and the “1 mm” principle. No R2 and R1(direct) resections were observed,while the R0 resection rate was 61.5%(16/26), and the R1(1 mm) resection rate was 38.5%(10/26).The R1(1 mm) resection rates for the anterior margin,posterior margin,transected margin,portal vein groove margin,and uncinate margin were 23.1%(6/26),19.2%(5/26),12.5%(3/24),2/14, and 1/12, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 57.8%(15/26),with major complications including grade B/C pancreatic fistula 25.0%(6/24,excluding 2 cases of total pancreatectomy),delayed gastric emptying in 23.1%(6/26),wound complications 11.5%(3/26),postoperative hemorrhage 7.7%(2/26), chylous fistula 7.7%(2/26) and bile fistula 3.8%(1/26). No reoperation was performed during the perioperative period(<90 days). One patient died on the 32 nd day postoperatively due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A total of 25 patients were followed up,with a follow-up time of 21(24)months(range: 8 to 42 months). During the follow-up period,8 cases(32.0%) died due to tumor recurrence and metastasis,while 17 patients(68.0%) remained alive,including 11 cases of disease-free survival,5 cases of distant metastasis,and 1 case of local recurrence. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 95.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after surgery were 77.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion:Performing pancreatoduodenectomy according to the Heidelberg triangle protocol in LAPC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might increase the R0 resection rate without increasing perioperative mortality or the incidence of major postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the microRNA-222(miRNA-222) carried by plasma exosomes can serve as an early warning marker for cognitive impairment induced by shRNA-PCSK9. METHODS The high-fat diet(HFD) was used to prepare a hypercholesterolemic mouse model group. The model group mice were divided into HFD-shRNA control group and HFD-shRNA-PCSK9 group. The shRNA-PCSK9 was constructed, injected intravenously into the body, and the expression of PCSK9 mRNA was detected by real-time PCR(RT-PCR). Tau protein and phosphorylation in brain tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blotting was used to detect Tau protein and P-Tau protein. Serum amyloid Aβ1-42Ab levels were determined by ELISA. The kits extracted plasma exosomes step by step, identify the exosome morphology by negative staining electron microscopy, and determined the size of exosomes by NTA technology. RT-PCR technique was used to detect the expression level of miRNA-222 carried in plasma exosomes. RESULTS The model mouse were prepared by feeding HFD for 13 weeks, whose total cholesterol(TC) and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) contents in serum were significantly increased. At the same time, the expression of PCSK9 mRNA in the brain tissue of model group was significantly increased. After shRNA-PCSK9 lentivirus interference, PCSK9 mRNA expression was inhibited, and IHC observed that shRNA-PCSK9 induced abnormal expression and hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein in brain tissue, indicating that the pathological changes of neurofibrillary tangles had occurred. However, at this time, serum Aβ1-42Ab had not been significantly increased, and it had not yet been of significance for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment. The miRNA in plasma exosomes was extracted, and RT-PCR results showed that the expression of miRNA-222 carried in the exosomes of the HFD-shRNA-PCSK9 group was significantly lower than that of the HFD-shRNA control group. CONCLUSION Plasma exosomes carried miRNA-222 provides an early warning marker for shRNA-PCSK9- induced cognitive impairment.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).Methods:This study is a retrospective case series analysis. Between January 2020 and December 2022, a total of 103 patients were diagnosed as LAPC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them, 26 patients (25.2%) underwent the TRIANGLE operation. There were 15 males and 11 females,with a age of (59±7) years (range: 49 to 74 years). The pre-treatment serum CA19-9( M(IQR)) was 248.8(391.6)U/ml (range: 0 to 1 428 U/ml),and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 4.1(3.8)μg/L(range: 1.4 to 13.4 μg/L). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens included: mFOLFIRINOX regimen in 6 cases(23.1%), GnP regimen in 14 cases(53.8%), and mFOLFIRINOX+GnP regimen in 6 cases(23.1%). The follow-up duration extended until June 2023 or until the occurrence of the patient′s death or loss to follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates. Results:After neoadjuvant chemotherapy,CA19-9 levels decreased by 92.3(40.1)%(range:2.1% to 97.7%). Evaluation of the response to treatment revealed 13 cases(50.0%) of stable disease,11 cases(42.3%) of partial response,and 2 cases(7.7%) of complete response. The surgical operation consisted of 12 cases(46.2%) of pancreaticoduodenectomy,12 cases(46.2%) of distal pancreatectomy,and 2 cases(7.7%) of total pancreatectomy. Margin determination was based on the “standardised pathology protocol” and the “1 mm” principle. No R2 and R1(direct) resections were observed,while the R0 resection rate was 61.5%(16/26), and the R1(1 mm) resection rate was 38.5%(10/26).The R1(1 mm) resection rates for the anterior margin,posterior margin,transected margin,portal vein groove margin,and uncinate margin were 23.1%(6/26),19.2%(5/26),12.5%(3/24),2/14, and 1/12, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 57.8%(15/26),with major complications including grade B/C pancreatic fistula 25.0%(6/24,excluding 2 cases of total pancreatectomy),delayed gastric emptying in 23.1%(6/26),wound complications 11.5%(3/26),postoperative hemorrhage 7.7%(2/26), chylous fistula 7.7%(2/26) and bile fistula 3.8%(1/26). No reoperation was performed during the perioperative period(<90 days). One patient died on the 32 nd day postoperatively due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A total of 25 patients were followed up,with a follow-up time of 21(24)months(range: 8 to 42 months). During the follow-up period,8 cases(32.0%) died due to tumor recurrence and metastasis,while 17 patients(68.0%) remained alive,including 11 cases of disease-free survival,5 cases of distant metastasis,and 1 case of local recurrence. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 95.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after surgery were 77.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion:Performing pancreatoduodenectomy according to the Heidelberg triangle protocol in LAPC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might increase the R0 resection rate without increasing perioperative mortality or the incidence of major postoperative complications.

Objective:Based on the specific cleavage and non-specific "trans-cleavage" activities of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein(CRISPR/Cas13), we established a visually amplification-free rapid detection technique of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. This technique is easily processed with a low detection limit and good specificity.Methods:According to the 2019-nCoV gene sequence, specific CRISPR RNAs were screened and designed by bioinformatics analysis, and then synthesized as universal signal-strained RNA transcription targets in vitro to establish and optimize the reaction system. Moreover, the 2019-nCoV pseudoviral nucleic acid was used as a standard substance to evaluate the detection limit. A total of 65 positive samples were collected from various 2019-nCoV variants, while 48 negative samples included other clinically common respiratory pathogens, such as influenza A virus, influenza B virus, human parainfluenza virus, Klebsiella pneumonia, etc. All samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR, and the method established in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of the newly established method were analyzed and evaluated. Results:With the newly established technique, the detection time for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid could be minimized to 6 minutes. In addition, the detection limit was 14 copies/μl when assisted by the displaying instrument, whereas it increased to 28 copies/μl with the naked eye. This technique had a sensitivity and specificity of 98.5% (66/67) and 100% (46/46) respectively, showing no statistically significant difference compared to the gold standard qPCR( P=1). Conclusions:This study has successfully established a CRISPR/Cas13a-based visually rapid detection technique for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. This technique offers the advantages of a simple process, convenient operation, low environmental operating requirements, a detection limit close to qPCR, and a strong potential for on-site testing applications.

Chemical constituents were isolated and purified from ethyl acetate fraction of Arctium lappa leaves by silica gel, ODS, MCI, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were identified with multiple spectroscopical methods including NMR, MS, IR, UV, and X-ray diffraction combined with literature data. Twenty compounds(1-20) were identified and their structures were determined as arctanol(1), citroside A(2), melitensin 15-O-β-D-glucoside(3), 11β,13-dihydroonopordopicrin(4), 11β,13-dihydrosalonitenolide(5), 8α-hydroxy-β-eudesmol(6), syringin(7), dihydrosyringin(8), 3,4,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-δ-truxinate(9),(+)-pinoresinol(10), phillygenin(11), syringaresinol(12), kaeperferol(13), quercetin(14), luteolin(15), hyperin(16), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid(17), 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde(18), benzyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(19), and N-(2'-phenylethyl) isobutyramide(20). Among them, compound 1 is a new norsesquiterpenoid, and compounds 2-5, 7-8, and 18-20 are isolated from this plant for the first time.
Arctium/chemistry* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Luteolin/analysis* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry*

Objective:To explore the mechanism of action of Coptis chinensis in the treatment of dental caries using a network pharmacology approach and animal experiments. Methods:The active ingredients of C. chinensis and their targets were screened by the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and analysis platform, and the targets were searched online through the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets of C. chinensis and dental caries were screened at Venny 2.1, and the intersection targets were analyzed online for protein-protein interaction analysis and gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomics (KEGG) enrichment. Then, Cytoscape was used to create a "component-target-pathway" network diagram. Rats were randomly divided into the model group and the C. chinensis group to establish a rat model of dental caries. Rats in the model group were repeatedly rubbed with a cotton ball soaked in 150 μl of 0.9% NaCl solution for 5 min, and rats in the C. chinensis group were repeatedly rubbed with a cotton ball soaked in C. chinensis (5.8 mg of C. chinensis in 150 μl of 0.9% NaCl solution) for 5 min. The two groups of rats were treated once a week for four consecutive weeks. The number of Streptococcus mutans colonies was counted, and serum serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), JUN, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were detected by enzyme immunoassay. Results:A total of 11 active ingredients in C. chinensis were found, which regulate multiple molecular pathways by intervening in 54 targets, thereby treating dental caries. Quercetin, berberine, flavodoxin, berberine infusion, and tetrahydroberberine were the core components, and AKT1, JUN, IL-6, TNF, and Bcl-2 were the core targets. GO analysis showed that BP mainly included cytokine activity, signaling receptor activator activity, signaling receptor modulator activity, cytokine receptor binding, and receptor ligand activity, etc.; and CC mainly included the response to lipopolysaccharides, the response to bacterial molecules, cellular responses to lipids, inflammatory responses, and negative regulation of cell population proliferation; MF mainly includes membrane rafts, membrane microregions, extracellular matrix, external encapsulated structures, and plasma membrane protein complexes, etc. KEGG analysis showed that advanced glycosylation end product-receptor for advanced glycosylation end products (AGE-RAGE), TNF, IL-17, Toll-like receptor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathways have been associated with C. chinensis treatment. The results of animal experiments showed that serum Bcl-2 protein expression increased and serum AKT1, JUN, IL-6, TNF, and other proteins decreased after the C. chinensis treatment. Conclusions:C. chinensis can be involved in regulating the targets of dental caries through multiple pathways, with good therapeutic effects and a wide range of mechanisms of action, and is expected to be an important component in the development of proprietary Chinese medicines for the treatment of dental caries.

ObjectiveTo determine the chemical constituents of burdock （Arctium lappa） leaves， and elucidate dynamic accumulation rule of four main components， in order to provide the basis for determining the suitable harvest time of burdock leaves. MethodSilica gel， macroporous resin， Sephadex LH-20， octadecylsilane chemically bonded silica （ODS）， microporous resin （MCI） column chromatography and reversed-phase preparative high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） were used to isolate the main chemical constituents in burdock leaves. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. HPLC-diode array detector （DAD） was used to analyze the dynamic accumulation of four components in burdock leaf. HPLC-DAD was performed on a Shim-pack GIST C₁₈ column （4.6 mm×250 mm， 5 μm） with mobile phase of acetonitrile （A）-0.3% phosphoric acid aqueous solution （B） （0-9 min， 13%A； 9-10 min， 13%-24%A； 10-30 min， 24%A）， flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1， column temperature of 40 ℃， and detection wavelength at 328 nm. ResultSeventeen compounds were isolated from burdock leaves， and identified as caffeic acid （1）， rutin （2）， kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside （3）， quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside （4）， kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside （5）， chlorogenic acid （6）， isochlorogenic acid A （7）， daucosterol （8）， ursolic acid （9）， anemarrhenoside B （10）， （-）-secoisolariciresinol （11）， vladinol D （12）， melitensin （13）， esculetin （14）， 1-（-2-ethylphenyl）-1，2-ethanediol （15）， 1-（-4-ethylphenyl）-1，2-ethanediol （16）， 3-hydroxy-1-（4-hydroxy-3，5-dimethoxyphenyl）-1-propanone （17）. The contents of chlorogenic acid， rutin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside in burdock leaves showed an upward trend from April to August， and reached the highest in August. And the content of isochlorogenic acid A firstly increased and then decreased from April to August， and reached the highest in July. ConclusionCompounds 10， 12-17 were isolated from Arctium for the first time. Taking the contents of chlorogenic acid， rutin， kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside， and isochlorogenic acid A as indicators， considering the comprehensive development and utilization of burdock roots and leaves， it is recommended to harvest burdock leaves in mid-August.

Aspergillus fumigatus ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; Keratitis ; Receptors, IgE ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Tumor Necrosis Factors

OBJECTIVE: To study the reference ranges of platelet and related parameters within 24 hours after birth in preterm infants with different gestational ages. METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a retrospective analysis was performed for the chart review data of 1 070 preterm infants with a gestational age of 23-36 weeks who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from January to December in 2018. The reference ranges of platelet parameters were calculated for the preterm infants within 24 hours after birth. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) among the preterm infants with different gestational ages (P>0.05). The late preterm infants (34-36 weeks; n=667) had significantly lower mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) than the extremely preterm infants (23-27 weeks; n=36) and the early preterm infants (28-33 weeks; n=367) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in these platelet parameters between the preterm infants with different sexes (P>0.05). The reference ranges of platelet parameters in preterm infants were calculated based on gestational age. The reference ranges of PLT and PCT were (92-376)×10/L and 0.1%-0.394% respectively, for the preterm infants with a gestational age of 23-36 weeks. The reference ranges of MPV and PDW were 9.208-12.172 fl and 8.390%-16.407% respectively, for the preterm infants with a gestational age of 23-36 weeks; the reference ranges of MPV and PDW were 9.19-11.95 fl and 9.046%-15.116% respectively, for the preterm infants with a gestational age of 34-36 weeks. CONCLUSIONS The MPV and PDW of preterm infants with different gestational age are different within 24 hours after birth, and it is more helpful for clinical practice to formulate the reference range of MPV and PDW according to gestational age.
Blood Platelets ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) using a nitinol fully covered self-expandable metal stents in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice after failed ERCP.Methods From January 2016 to January 2018,all patients with malignant obstructive jaundice who failed ERCP underwent EUS-guided biliary drainage using nitinol fully covered self-expandable metal stent at Affiliated Hangzhou First People' s Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine.The operation success rate,liver functional recovery time,complication rate,length of hospital stay and survival time were observed.Results Of 36 patients who underwent EUS-guided biliary drainage,34 were successfully performed,with 19 through the stomach,and 15 through the duodenum.The operation success rate was 94.4％ (34/36).The liver functional recovery time of the 34 patients were 25.8 ±.6.5 days.One patient developed hemobilia and one cholangitis,both improved after conservative treatment.The total complication rate was 5.6％ (2/36).The hospital stay and survival time were 21.5 ± 4.7 days and 220.5 ± 54.8 days,respectively.Conclusion EUS-BD using nitinol fully covered self-expandable metal stents was a feasible and effective treatment in patients with malignant biliary obstruction after failed ERCP.