Objective To observe the effects of carvedilol on renal function in mice with diabetic kidney disease(DKD)and to preliminarily study its mechanism of action.Methods C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and experimental group,with 10 mice in each group.The mouse model of type Ⅰ diabetes was established by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg·kg-1 streptozotocin(STZ).After successful modeling,the experimental group mice were given 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 carvedilol by gavage,while the control group and model group were given equal amounts of 0.9％NaCl.During the experiment,the fasting blood glucose(FBG)of mice were monitored weekly.After 8 weeks of administration,the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio(UACR),uric acid(UA),and other contents in the urine of mice were detected,as well as the levels of iron(Fe),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)in the renal tissue.And hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining were performed on the renal tissue to observe the pathological changes of the kidney.Results After 8 weeks of administration,the UACR of the control group,model group and experimental group were(12.43±1.13),(63.01±20.78)and(19.79±1.94)mg·mmol-1;the UA levels were(132.10±10.14),(174.40±7.06)and(135.00±3.95)μmol·L-1;the Fe levels were(7.49±0.81),(9.98±0.46)and(7.02±0.60)μmol·g prot-1;the SOD activities were(34.56±0.58),(30.27±1.22)and(34.43±1.36)U·mg prot1;the MDA contents were(5.49±0.31),(7.72±0.17)and(4.46±0.32)nmol·mg prot-1.The differences between model group and normal group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05);compared between experimental group and model group,the difference were significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Carvedilol can alleviate the damage of renal function in diabetes mice,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting iron death and alleviating oxidative stress injury.

Objective To explore the effects of standardized environmental enrichment(EE)on cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels in patients with post-stroke dementia.Methods A prospective study was conducted,including 80 patients with post-stroke dementia admitted to Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation,910th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA from January 2021 to May 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group,cognitive training(COG)group,aerobic exercise training(AE)group and environmental enrichment(EE)group,with 20 cases in each group.All patients received routine treatment,with COG group receiving additional cognitive function training(30 minutes each time),AE group receiving additional aerobic exercise training(30 minutes each time),and EE group receiving both aerobic exercise and cognitive function training(15 minutes of aerobic exercise training and 15 minutes of cognitive training each time).The training was conducted once a day,5 days a week,for a total of 8 weeks.The patients'mini-mental state scale(MMSE),modified Barthel index(MBI),Hamilton depression scale(HAMD),stroke-specific quality of life(SS-QOL)score and serum levels of BDNF were assessed before treatment,at 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment,respectively.Results Before treatment,there were no significant differences in general information,MMSE,MBI,HAMD,SS-QOL scores,and serum levels of BDNF among the four groups(P＞0.05).After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,the above indicators of the four groups were improved compared with those before treatment,with all differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Inter-group comparison showed that after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,MMSE,MBI,SS-QOL scores,and serum BDNF levels in COG,AE and EE groups were significantly higher than those in control group,and HAMD scores were significantly lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).In addition,MMSE,MBI,SS-QOL scores and BDNF levels of group EE were better than those of other 3 groups,while HAMD scores were lower than those of other 3 groups,with all differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in above outcome indicators between COG group and AE group after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment(P＞0.05).Conclusion Standardized enrichment environment can significantly enhance cognitive function,daily living abilities of post-stroke dementia patients,alleviate depression symptoms,and improve the quality of life,which may be related to the increase in serum BDNF levels.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression level of melatonin and its effects on immune function in aplastic anemia (AA) patients. METHODS: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the plasma levels of melatonin in AA patients, and the correlation between melatonin levels and laboratory indexs was analyzed. The activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of T cells from AA patients were analyzed by flow cytometry with or without melatonin in vitro. RESULTS: The plasma levels of melatonin in AA patients were significantly lower compared with healthy controls (HC) (12.23 pg/ml vs 20.04 pg/ml, P < 0.01), while the plasma melatonin levels of AA patients in remission group after immunosuppressive therapy (IST) were significantly higher than those in non-remission group (29.16 pg/ml vs 11.73 pg/ml, P =0.04). Moreover, the melatonin levels were positively correlated with platelets (r =0.49), the absolute reticulocyte count (r =0.45), and the percentage of neutrophils (r =0.43). Meanwhile, there was a negative correlation between melatonin levels and the percentages of lymphocytes (r =-0.45). The expressions of CD25 and CD69 in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from AA patients were remarkably inhibited by melatonin in vitro (all P < 0.05). When cultured with melatonin, the proliferation rates of both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from AA patients were markedly suppressed (P =0.01 andP < 0.01). CONCLUSION The plasma levels of melatonin were decreased in AA patients, which might play an important role in the mechanism of immunological abnormalities. The hyperimmune status of AA patients could be partially ameliorated by melatonin in vitro.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Melatonin ; Blood Cell Count

Objective:To evaluate the residual risk (RR) of transfusion transmitted HIV (TT-HIV) after the implementation of nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) in blood screening test among blood centers in China.Methods:The data of blood donors and HIV infection markers from 2017 to 2020 were collected from 28 blood centers via the Platform of Comparison of blood establishments Practice in Chinese Mainland. The new infection rate/window period mathematical model was used for two types of blood screening strategies, namely, two rounds ELISA plus individual NAT take turn with pooling NAT (2ELISA+ ID-NAT/MP-NAT) and two ELISA plus one round pooling NAT (2ELISA+ MP-NAT), and the RR of HIV infection was estimated also based on first donors (FDs) and repeated donors (RDs) in different blood donation years. T-test analyses were conducted for comparing TT HIV RR among FDs and RDs in different blood donation years with two blood screening strategies, and the variation trend of RR in HIV test was observed.Results:From 2017 to 2020, the RR of FDs in 2ELISA+ ID-NAT/MP-NAT blood screening strategy was 2.869/10 6 person-year, 3.795/10 6 persons-year, 3.879/10 6 person-year, and 2.890/10 6 person-year respectively. The RR of RDs was 1.797/10 6 person-year, 1.502/10 6 person-year, 1.857/10 6 person-year, and 1.483/10 6 person-year respectively. Significant difference exists between RR of FDs and RDs, with F=9.898 and p<0.05. In 2ELISA+ MP-NAT strategy, the RR of FDs was 3.508/10 6 person-year, 1.868/10 6 person-year, 2.204/10 6 person-year, and 1.765/10 6 person-year respectively. The RR of RDs was 0.948/10 6 person-year, 0.926/10 6 person-year, 0.748/10 6 person-year, and 0.682/10 6 person-year respectively. Statistical difference existed between RR of FDs and RDs, with F=17.126 and P<0.05. There was no significant difference between the RR of FDs in these two strategies with F=3.493 and P>0.05, while there was a difference between the RR of RDs in these two strategies with F=24.516 and P<0.05, and a difference between the RR of total donors (TDs) in these two strategies F=20.216 and P<0.05. Conclusions:The RR of TT HIV significantly decreased after the introduction of NAT into blood test among blood centers in China. There were some differences in the RR of HIV testing among different blood screening strategies. There could be significant differences in the RR of HIV testing among different groups of blood donors. Compared with FDs, RDs is the low risk group for HIV.

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) negative before surgery.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed the clinic pathological data of 158 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent radical surgery between November 2011 and August 2022, including 84 males, and 74 females, aged (65±9) years old. Patients were divided into two groups according to CA 19-9 levels over a threshold of 37 U/ml. Patients with CA19-9 levels ≤37 U/ml were included in the CA19-9 negative group ( n=34), while patients with CA19-9 levels >37 U/ml were included in the CA19-9 positive group ( n=124). We performed a comparison between the two groups regarding demographic and clinical data, tumor staging, lymphovascular and nerve invasion and so on. Survival data were extracted from outpatient or telephone records during follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and the survival rate was compared by log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression analysis model. Results:CA19-9 expression was associated with tumor location and nerve invasion (both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in cumulative survival rate ( χ2=0.07, P=0.787) and progression-free survival rate ( χ2=0.13, P=0.721) between two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that lymphovascular invasion ( HR=5.962, 95% CI: 2.189-16.239, P<0.001) was a prognostic factor for overall survival in the CA19-9 negative group. Age ≤60 years old ( HR=0.306, 95% CI: 0.118-0.796, P=0.015) and lymphovascular invasion ( HR=3.096, 95% CI: 1.232-7.780, P=0.016) were prognostic factors for progression-free survival. Conclusion:Age ≤60 years old and lymphovascular invasion are the influencing factors of poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients with CA19-9 negative.

Objective:To explore the difference of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood(PB)between aplastic anemia(AA)and hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome(hypo-MDS)patients,meanwhile to compare the clinical parameters obtained from PB and bone marrow(BM).Methods:The lymphocyte subsets in hypo-MDS(n=25)and AA(n=33)patients were investigated by flow cytometry.Meanwhile,the differences in PB cell counts,biochemical indicators,BM cell counts and abnormal chromosomes between the two groups were analyzed.Results:The percentage of CD8+T cells in A A group was significantly higher than that in hypo-MDS group(P=0.001),while the percentage of CD4+T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ratio in AA group were obviously lower than those in hypo-MDS group(P=0.015 and0.001,respectively).Furthermore,the proportion of CD4+andCD8+activated T(TA)cells,and memory Tregs in AA group was distinctly lower than those in hypo-MDS group(P=0.043,0.015 and 0.024,respectively).Nevertheless,the percentage of CD8+naive T(TN)cells in AA patients was remarkably higher(P=0.044).And hypo-MDS patients had declined lymphocyte counts(P=0.025),increased levels of total bilirubin(TBil),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),vitamin B12 and proportion of BM blasts than AA patients(P=0.019,0.023,0.027 and 0.045,respectively).Conclusion:In this study it was confirmed that the percentages of CD4+and CD8+TA cells,memory Tregs and CD8+TN cells were significantly different between AA and hypo-MDS patients,which provide an essential basis for the identification of these two diseases.

Solitary kidney, renal duplication and malrotation are rare congenital renal malformations in urology department, and probably contributed to some complications such as obstruction, hydronephrosis, infection, stones. In this case report, we firstly presented a male patient with rarely multiple renal malformations, including solitary kidney, renal duplication, misaligned malrotation of upper and lower moieties, and accompanied by complete staghorn stones and hydronephrosis, who was treated with open pyelolithotomy under general anesthesia. After the operation, obstruction, hydronephrosis, and infection were relieved.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the maximum corridor parameters of the infra acetabular screw and evaluate the feasibility of screw insertion through digital analysis of the acetabular structure. METHODS: The pelvic CT data of 100 patients who received plain pelvic CT scan from April 2013 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 50 males, aged 20 to 84 years, with an average age of (48.42±17.48) years, and 50 females, aged 18 to 87 years, with an average age of (55.02±19.54) years. Patients with acetabular fractures, hip dysplasia, and metal implants in the acetabulum were excluded. Import CT data into Mimics software in DICOM format to generate a three-dimensional model, and find the axialprojection of the infra-acetabular corridor in the middle of the pubis ramus in the inlet view. A virtual screw was placed in the infra-acetabular space and measure the parameters including the diameter and the length of the maximum corridor, the distance from the insertion point to the pubic symphysis, to the anterosuperior iliac spine and to the medial edge of the pelvis. Then import the pelvic model into 3- matic software, establish the pelvic model anterior pelvic plane and median sagittal plane, and measure the angle between the screw axis and the two planes. A minimum corridor diameter of at least 5 mm was defined as a cutoff for placing a 3.5 mm screw, and calculate the screw insertion rate. RESULTS: In 100 cases, 49% of patients had a infra acetabular corridor with a diameter ≥5 mm, and the rate of screw placement in men was significantly higher than that in women. The average diameter of the maximum corridor of infra-acetabular screw was (4.86±1.72) mm, the average length was (94.04±8.29) mm, the average distance from the insertion point to the pubic symphysis was (60.92±4.84) mm, to the anterosuperior iliac spine was (85.15± 6.85) mm, and to the medial edge of the pelvis was (6.12±3.32) mm. The mean angle between the axis of the screw and the median sagittal plane was (-1.38±4.74)°, and the mean angle between the axis of the screw and the anterior pelvic plane was (56.77±7.93)°. There are significant differences between male and female measured parameters, except for the angle between the screw axis and the anterior pelvic plane. There was no statistically significant difference in the maximum corridor parameters of infra-acetabular screw on both sides of the pelvis. CONCLUSION This study shows that the insertion rate of infra-acetabular screws is low in local patients, and the feasibility of screw insertion should be fully evaluated before surgery.
Acetabulum/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the clinical value of ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block combined with general anesthesia in transurethral resection of bladder tumors(TURBT)for the elderly.Methods:A total of 84 elderly bladder tumor patients were randomly selected from those admitted to our hospital from November 2017 to August 2019, and were divided into the observation group(n=43)and the control group(n=41)according to whether obturator nerve block was performed.Patients in the observation group were given general anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block, and those in the control group were given general anesthesia alone.The surgical conditions, postoperative complications, and rates of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:Patients in the observation group had a significantly shorter duration of operation, shorter indwelling urinary catheter use, fewer days stayed in hospital and less intraoperative blood loss, compared with the control group(all P<0.05). Besides, the incidence of obturator nerve injury in the observation group was also significantly lower than in the control group(4.65% vs.19.51%, χ2=4.420, P=0.036). There were 2 cases of bladder hemorrhage and 1 case of bladder perforation in the control group, but no case of bladder hemorrhage or bladder perforation occurred in the observation group.A total of 2 cases of tachycardia, 2 cases of nausea and vomiting, and 1 case of hypotension were seen in the control group; and 3 cases of tachycardia, 1 case of nausea and vomiting, and 2 cases of hypotension occurred in the observation group.The total incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the two groups(12.16% vs.13.95%, χ2=0.057, P=0.811). Conclusions:The use of ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block combined with general anesthesia in TURBT surgery can effectively enhance the inhibitive effect on obturator nerve reflex, and reduce the risk of obturator nerve injury during surgery.Therefore, it can ensure smooth operation of the surgery and has a very positive effect on promoting successful postoperative rehabilitation.