ObjectiveTo obtain HSC-T6 cells with stable expression of Cas9 protein and HSC-T6-COX-2-/- cells with COX-2 gene defect by transfecting HSC-T6 cells with CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vector, and to provide a good method for further functional research and new strategies for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis. MethodsThe COX-2 gene-specific sgRNAs (COX-2-sgRNA-1, COX-2-sgRNA-2, COX-2-sgRNA-3) were designed, synthesized, and connected to the GV371 vector, and the recombinant plasmid and the packaging plasmid were transfected into 293T cells to form lentivirus particles; the fluorescence method was used to measure virus titer. The most appropriate amount of the virus was calculated based on MOI. Lenti-Cas9-puro was transfected into HSC-T6 cells, and HSC-T6-Cas9 cells were screened out by puromycin; Lenti-COX-2-sgRNA-EGFP was transfected into HSC-T6-Cas9 cells to obtain HSC-T6-COX-2-/- cells. Cruiser enzyme digestion and Western blot were used to verify gene knockout at the gene and protein levels. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsSequencing verified that the COX-2-sgRNA expression vector was constructed successfully. Recombinant expression plasmids and packaging plasmids were transfected into 293T cells to form lentivirus particles, and the fluorescence method showed a virus titer of ＞1×108. HSC-T6 cells with stable expression of Cas9 protein and HSC-T6-COX-2-/- cells with COX-2 gene defect were successfully constructed. The HSC-T6-Cas9 group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression of LV-Cas9-Puro than the CON group (541.93±105.76 vs 1.00±0.02, t=12.995, P＜0.01). Cruiser enzyme digestion and Western blot showed that the CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus expression vectors played a role in the target, among which COX-2-sgRNA-2 knockout had the most significant effect, and this group had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of COX-2 compared with the CON group and the NC group (both P＜0.05), suggesting that COX-2-sgRNA was active. ConclusionA CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus vector is successfully constructed for COX-2 target gene, and HSC-T6-COX-2-/- cells with stable COX-2 gene knockout are obtained.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the combination of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) on cardiac function and the success rate of AF ablation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 56 patients with AF undergoing a one-stop procedure for AF ablation and LAAC in our hospital between May, 2015 and May, 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) at the ratio of 1:1 was used to select 56 control patients undergoing AF ablation at high risk of stroke, for matching with the hybrid procedure group. The perioperative complications, thromboembolic events, recurrence of atrial arrhythmia and cardiac function were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The two groups of patients were comparable for age, gender, BMI, duration and type of AF, concomitant diseases, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores ( CONCLUSIONS The combination of AF ablation and LAAC is safe but does not improve the success rate of AF ablation. The one-stop procedure can improve cardiac function of the patients, but AF ablation alone can achieve better improvement of cardiac function.
Atrial Appendage/surgery* ; Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Catheter Ablation ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the radiation-induced mitochondrial damage and energy metabolic alteration in pancreatic exocrine cells,and to explore underlying mechanism.Methods Rat pancreatic exocrine cells (AR42 J) were divided into control group and experimental group irradiated with 6 Gy of X-rays.Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected at 24,48,72 and 96 h,the lactic acid and ATP production were detected at 24 h and 48 h,and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected at 24 h after irradiation.The expressions of energy metabolism related factors of HIF-1α,LDHA and PDH were detected by Western blot.The animal experiments were conducted to confirm the changes.According to random number table,eight rats were randomly divided into two groups with 4 rats in each.The irradiated group was exposed to 12 Gy of X-rays,while the control group sham-irradiated.Results Compared with the nonirradiated control group,the mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) of the experimental group was progressively decreased at 24-96 h after irradiation (t =5.438-17.687,P＜0.05).The ATP content in the experimental group decreased at 24 h and 48 h (q=17.300,8.328,P＜0.05),the lactic acid increased (q =21.790,16.250,P＜0.05),and the ROS level increased (t =7.935,P＜0.05).The expressions of HIF-1α and LDHA were significantly increased,but PDH was reduced after radiation.Silencing HIF-1α by siRNA eliminated radiation-induced energy metabolic alteration.These changes were confirmed with animal experiments by locally irradiating rats.Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α is upregulated by irradiation,which leads to the change of energy metabolism as the enhancement of glycolysis pathway and the inhibition of aerobic oxidation of mitochondria in pancreatic exocrine cells.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of nosocomial fungal infections in severe sepsis patients and analyze the influencing factors by logistic regression.Methods The clinical data of 578 patients with severe sepsis admitted to our hospital from January 2008 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The epidemiological characteristics were investigated.The possible influencing factors of nosocomial fungal infection were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Among 578 cases of severe sepsis,215 cases were accompanied by nosocomial fungal infection (infection rate 37.20％).The infection sites were mostly lungs and the fungal types were Candida albicans.The prognosis of the patients was poor.The survival time was less than 90 days,accounting for 42.33％ (91/215).There were significant differences in age,length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU),duration of more than two antibiotics,use of ventilators,hormones,invasive procedures,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score between the infected group and the uninfected group (P ＜ 0.05).The danger degree from high to low of the risk factors were ICU stay ≥ 100 h (OR =5.697),use respirator (OR =5.388),invasive operation (OR =4.987),age ≥65 years (OR =4.584),and continuous use of two antibiotics ＞ 7 d (OR =3.287),use steroid (OR =2.141).Conclusions Severe sepsis with hospital acquired fungal infection is more common in the lung,and most of them are Candida albicans infection,with poor prognosis and high mortality.ICU stay ≥ 100 h,use respirator and steroid,invasive operation,age ≥65 years,and continuous use of two antibiotics ＞ 7d are risk factors.Specific preventive measures should be taken to reduce fungal infections.

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with various stents for treating patients with cirrhosis and esophageal gastric varices bleeding.

METHODSOne hundred and five patients were stratified according to stent type: bare stent group, covered stent-grafts group, combined stents group. Rates of success, shunt insufficiency, rebleeding, patient survival, and major complications were observed. The shunt insufficiency rate, rebleeding rate, and survival rate were calculated by the life tables method, the Kaplan-Meier analytical curve, and the log-rank test; a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe overall success rate of all TIPS for treating the esophageal gastric varices bleeding was 100%. The overall shunt insufficiency rates at 6-, 12-and 24-months post-TIPS were 8%, 9% and 16%, rebleeding rates were 2%, 6% and 17%, and survival rates were 100%, 97% and 94%. The shunt insufficiency rate was 26% in the bare stent group, 14% in the covered stent-grafis group, and 5% in the combined stents group (x2=1.00, P=0.61). The rebleeding rate was 33% in the bare stent group, 7% in the covered stent-grafts group, and 3%in the combined stents group (x2=1.69, P=0.43). The survival rate was 92% in the bare stent group, 93% in the covered stent-grafts group, and 100% in the combined stents group (x2=1.91, P=0.39). The shunt insufficiency rates were higher in patients with splenectomy than in those without splenectomy (30% vs.14%; x2=4.15, P=0.04). The intraperitoneal hemorrhage rates in the covered stent-grafis group and the combined stents group were significantly lower than that in the bare stent group (0% vs 0% vs 13%; x2=8.88, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTIPS with an 8 mm stent effectively treated and prevented esophageal gastric varices bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. Intraperitoneal hemorrhaging caused by TIPS was significantly decreased in the covered stent-grafts group and combined stents group,which represented an improvement in safety of this treatment. However, the influence of covered stent-grafis and combined stents towards the clinical efficacy of TIPS needs further study.

Objective To study the role of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog1 (SIRT1)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in hepatitis C virus core protein (HCV-core) induced energy metabolism disorders of hepatocytes.Methods HepG2 cells were transfected with recombined expressed plasmid pcDNA3.1-core.The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),value of ATP/ADP and activity of AMPK α-2,and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+/NADH in HepG2 cells expressing HCV-core were detected by flow cytometry,liquid scintillation counter and chromatometry,respectively.The activity of SIRT1 was detected with a fluorometric assay kit.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay were performed to examine the expression of SIRT1 and AMPK α-2.Quantitative data were analyzed by t-test.Results It was confirmed by Western blot assay that HepG2 cells expressed HCV-core with relative molecular weight of 22 000.Compared to HepG2 cells,the level of ROS in HepG2 cells expressing HCV-core was significantly increased (1.0 ±0.1 vs 4.0±0.5,t=14.411,P＜0.01),the values of ATP/ADP were similar (8.2±2.2 vs 9.3±2.8,t=0.757,P＞0.05),AMPK α-2 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.2±0,t=7.345,P＜0.01),the values of NAD+/NADH (0.08±0.02 vs 0.02±0,t=7.348,P＜0.01),the activity of SIRT1 [(0.30±0.05) pmol· μg-1 · min-1 vs (0.15±0.04) pmol · μg 1 · min 1,t=5.738,P＜0.01] and the mRNA levels of SIRT1 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.4±0.1,t=4.382,P＜0.01) and AMPK α-2 mRNA (0.9±0.3 vs 0.2±0,t=5.715,P＜0.01),and the expression of SIRT1 (0.8±0.2 vs 0.3±0,t=5.941,P＜0.01) and phosphorylated AMPK protein (0.5±0.1 vs 0.1±0,t=9.608,P＜0.01) were all significantly decreased.Conclusion HCV core protein induces energy metabolism disorders of hepatocytes by down-regulation of SIRT1-AMPK signaling pathway.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication on expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and glucose metabolism of hepatocytes using Huh 7.5 cells harboring HCV replicon.Methods The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),value of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)/reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was detected by flow cytometry and chromatometry.The activity,mRNA expression,and protein level of SIRT1 were detected by a scintillation counter,real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and Western blot,respectively.Glucose uptake by hepatocytes and gluconeogenesis were detected using radioactive isotope method and glucose oxidase method.The mRNA levels of SIRT1 downstream glucose-metabolism genes were measured by RT-PCR.Measurement date were compared by t test.Results In replicon cells,the level of ROS (3.8±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=12.736,P＜0.01) was increased and the value of NAD+/NADH (0.03±0.01 vs 0.12±0.03; t=6.971,P＜0.01) decreased compared with Huh 7.5 cells.The activity (0.3±0.1 vs 1.0±0.2; t=7.668,P＜0.01),mRNA expression(0.4±0.1 vs 1.0± 0.3; t=4.648,P＜0.01) and protein level(0.3±0.1 vs 0.8±0.2; t=5.941,P＜0.01) of SIRT1 were reduced.Inhibition of SIRT1 not only increased insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation (0.7±0.2 vs 0.4±0.1; t=3.286,P＜0.01),decreased protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation (0.3 ± 0.1 vs 0.6 ± 0.2; t=3.286,P＜0.01),down regulated cell surface expression of glucose transporler 2 (GLUT2,0.4±0.1 vs 1.0 ± 0.2; t =6.573,P＜0.01) and suppressed cellular glucose uptake (count per minute:4600±500 vs 21 000±4600; t=8.682,P＜0.01); but also decreased phosphorylation of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1,0.2＝0.1 vs 0.5±0.1; t=5.196,P＜ 0.01),up-regulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK,2.8±0.6 vs 1.0±0.3; t=6.573,P＜0.01) and glucose 6-phosphatase (2.6±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=7.278,P＜0.01) genes,and promoted glucose production (2.5±0.5 vs 1.0±0.2; t=5.543,P＜0.01).Conclusions HCV replication decreases NAD+/NADH ratio,which might down-regulate the activity and the expression of SIRT1,leading to changes in the expression profile of glucose metabolism related genes and causing glucose metabolism disorders of hepatocytes by a decrease in glucose uptake and an increase in glucose production,and promotes HCV replication.

Objective To investigate the corelation between neutropenia (ANC) incidence and infection during treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.Methods A retrospective cohort study of 399 patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin derived from database of Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University was conducted.The incidence of infections and their relation with ANC were investigated.Potential risk factors for infection were identified by multivariate analysis.Results During treatment,neutropenia (ANC ＜ 1.50 ×109/L) occurred in 251 patients.Among which,mild neutropenia [ANC: ( ＞ 0.75-＜ 1.50) x 109/L],moderate neutropenia [ANC: ( 0.50-0.75 ) × 109/L]and severe neutropenia ( ANC ＜ 0.50 × 109/L)occurred in 132 patients,103 patients and 16 patients,respectively.A total of 80 infections (20.1％ )occurred,among which,14 infections were defined as severe.There was no significant difference in infection rate between patients with and without neutropenia ( 19.9％,50/251 vs 20.3％,50/251 ; x2 =0.007,P =0.933).There was no significant difference in infection rate between patients with and without peginterferon dose reduction ( 21.5％,31/144 vs 19.2％,49/255 ; x2 =0.307,P =0.580 ).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,the independent factors associated with infection were age (P =0.021),diabetes (P =0.004) and cirrhosis (P =0.012).Conclusions Infections during treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C are irrelevant to neutropenia.The independent factors associated with infection are age,diabetes and cirrhosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of adding metformin to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin on the efficacy in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C and insulin resistance.Methods Ninety-eight patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C and insulin resistance were randomized into the treatment group (n=49) and the control group (n=49).The patients in the control group were treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin,and those in the treatment group were treated with metformin in addition to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin. The virologic response rate,the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistence index (HOMA-IR) and incidence of side effects were compared between two groups.The related factors of sustained virological response (SVR) were studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe SVR rate of the patients in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (59.2％ vs 38.8％; x2 =4.083,P=0.043).The HOMA-IR of patients in the treatment group at week 12,24,48 of treatment and week 24 of follow-up were 3.00±0.65,1.90±0.45,1.75±0.40 and 1.60±0.35,respectively,which were all lower than those in the control group (3.50±0.72,2.90±0.64,2.74± 0.48 and 2.60±0.55,respectively) (t=3.610,8.947,11.091 and 10.738,respectively; all P＜ 0.01).The incidence of diarrhea in the treatment group was higher than the control group (28.6％ vs 10.2％ ; x2 =5.288,P=0.021).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,the independent factors associated with SVR were metformin treatment (P =0.009) and HOMA-IR＜ 2 at week 24 of treatment (P=0.011 ). Conclusion The combination of metformin,peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin improves insulin sensitivity and increases SVR rate of patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 and insulin resistance with good safety profile.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of age and sex on virologic responses rates to peginterferon alfα-2a and ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.MethodsThe medical records of 449 chronic hepatitis C patients,treated with peginterferon and ribavirin in Department of Infectious Diseases,the Second Affiliated Hospital,Harbin Medical University,were retrospectively analyzed.These patients were divided into three groups according to age:patients ＜40 years (n =131 ),patients 40-50 years ( n =131 ) and patients ＞ 50 years ( n =187 ).The virologic response rates,the incidences of side events,and the rates of patients receiving ≥ 80％ of planned peginterferon alfα-2a or ribavirin dose were compared between male and female patients in the three groups.The influential factors on sustained virologic response (SVR) of patients were studied by multivariate analysis.Results For genotype 1,in patients ＜ 40 years group,the SVR rate of female was significantly higher than that of male (75.0％,30/40 vs 54.0％,27/50; P ＜0.05 ) ; in patients 40-50 years group,there was no significant difference in the SVR rate between male and female (51.0％,25/49 vs 53.7％,22/41 ; P ＞ 0.05 ) ; in patients ＞50 years group,the SVR rate of female was significantly lower than that of male (31.1％,19/61 vs 50.7％,34/67; P ＜0.05).For genotype 2,there were no significant differences in virologic response rates between male and female in the three groups.The incidence of adverse events of patients aged ＜ 40 years group,40-50 years group,＞ 50 years group,were 51.1％ (67/131),51.1％ (67/131),and 70.6％ (132/187),respectively,and the incidence of adverse events of patients aged ＞ 50 years was significantly higher than those of other groups ( P ＜ 0.001 ).For genotype 1,in patients ＞ 50 years group,the rate of patients receiving ≥80％ of planned ribavirin dose of female was significantly lower than that of male (42.6％,26/61 vs 62.7％,42/67; P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate analysis,the independent factors associated with SVR of patients aged ＞ 50 years were sex ( P =0.013 ),genotypes ( P =0.002 ),cirrhosis ( P =0.004 ),≥ 80％ of planned ribavirin dose ( P =0.008 ) and presence of rapid virologic response (RVR) ( P =0.001 ).ConclusionsFor genotype 1 patients,in patients ＜ 40 years group the SVR rate of female is higher than that of male; in patients 40-50 years group,male and female share similar SVR rates;in patients ＞ 50 years group the SVR rate of female is lower than that of male.Age and sex has no impact on virologic responses rates for genotype 2 patients.