Objective To explore the safety of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with three-field lymphadenectomy (3-FL) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by comparing the short-term outcomes between the 3-FL and the two-field lymphadenectomy (2-FL) in MIE. Methods The clinical data of patients with ESCC who underwent minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy in our hospital from July 2015 to March 2022 were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into a 3-FL group and a 2-FL group according to lymph node dissection method. And the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 257 patients with ESCC were included in this study. There were 211 males and 46 females with an average age of 62.2±8.1 years. There were 109 patients in the 3-FL group and 148 patients in the 2-FL group. The operation time of the 3-FL group was about 20 minutes longer than that of the 2-FL group (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the intraoperatve blood loss (P=0.376). More lymph nodes (P<0.001) and also more positive lymph nodes (P=0.003) were obtained in the 3-FL group than in the 2-FL group, and there was a statistical difference in the pathological N stage between the two groups (P<0.001). But there was no statistical difference in the incidence of anastomotic leak (P=0.667), chyle leak (P=0.421), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (P=0.081), pulmonary complications (P=0.601), pneumonia (P=0.061), cardiac complications (P=0.383), overall complications (P=0.147) or Clavien-Dindo grading (P=0.152) between the two groups. Conclusion MIE 3-FL can improve the efficiency of lymph node dissection and the accuracy of tumor lymph node staging, but it does not increase the postoperative complications, which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and bone metastasis in initially diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) patients in different ISUP(International Society of Urological Pathology)groups.Methods:The 368 initial diagnosed prostate cancer patients recruited from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 247 cases in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 111 cases in the Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Shantou University and 10 cases in Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University. According to whether there was bone metastasis at the initial diagnosis, it was divided into 230 cases in the bone metastasis group and 138 cases in the non bone metastasis group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age [(71.9±9.4) years and (71.2±8.7) years], body mass index (BMI) [(23.1±3.7) kg/m 2 and (23.7±2.6) kg/m 2]. There were significant differences in PSA [(307.3±847.0) ng/ml and (84.5±257.3) ng/ml] and ALP [(174.5±270.8) U/L and (71.0±23.2) U/L] between the two groups. In different PSA subgroups, there were 45 cases in PSA <10 ng/ml, 35 cases in PSA 10-20 ng/ml and 288 cases in PSA >20 ng/ml. The differences of ALP and PSA between bone metastasis group and non-bone metastasis group based on different ISUP stratification were analyzed, ROC curves were used to predict their risks of bone metastasis. Results:There were 3(1.3%), 22(9.6%), 34(14.8%), 85(37.0%) and 86 (37.4%) prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis from ISUP group 1 to 5, and 14(10.1%), 19(13.8%), 29(21.0%), 32(23.2%) and 44(31.9%) without bone metastasis, respectively. There was significant difference in the serum ALP levels between the bone metastasis group and the boneless metastasis group in the ISUP group 4(157.6±207.7 vs. 66.5±17.0) and 5(189.4±257.5 vs. 69.2±18.4)( P<0.001) and PSA levels had difference in the ISUP group 3(240.3±313.0 vs. 42.4±42.1), 4(152.3±184.5 vs. 44.7±33.3) and 5(435.2±1006.3 vs. 60.8±84.8)( P<0.001). There was statistically significant between the bone metastasis group and the without(336.1±882.2 vs. 139.3±328.1) when PSA>20 ng/ml( P=0.006). ROC curve analysis: the cut-off values of ALP were 115.5, 109.0, 75.5 and 86.0 U/L from ISUP group 2 to 5 respectively, the sensitivity was 23.8%, 56.5%, 66.4% and 50.6% respectively, the specificity was 99.7%, 93.4%, 78.3% and 89.2% respectively, and the accuracy were 59.4%, 73.1%, 69.7% and 63.3%, respectively. The cut-off values of PSA were 39.5, 93.1, 54.2 and 28.9 ng/ml from ISUP group 2 to 5 respectively, the sensitivity was 64.4%, 68.4%, 87.4% and 88.3% respectively, and the specificity was 79.5%, 90.6%, 63.7% and 61.6% respectively, and the accuracy were 71.6%, 78.1%, 80.1% and 79.2%, respectively. Conclusion:ALP increased significantly in ISUP group ≥4 and PSA in ISUP group ≥3, which related to bone metastasis in patients with initial diagnosed prostate cancer.

Apoptosis is proved responsible for renal damage during ischemia/reperfusion. The regulation for renal apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) has still been unclearly characterized to date. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of histone acetylation on IRI-induced renal apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms in rats with the application of curcumin possessing a variety of biological activities involving inhibition of apoptosis. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into four experimental groups (SHAM, IRI, curcumin, SP600125). Results showed that curcumin significantly decreased renal apoptosis and caspase-3/-9 expression and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. Treatment with curcumin in IRI rats also led to the decrease in expression of p300/cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CBP) and activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). Reduced histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation was found near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9 after curcumin treatment. In a similar way, SP600125, an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), also attenuated renal apoptosis and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. In addition, SP600125 suppressed the binding level of p300/CBP and H3K9 acetylation near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9, and curcumin could inhibit JNK phosphorylation like SP600125. These results indicate that curcumin could attenuate renal IRI via JNK/p300/CBP-mediated anti-apoptosis signaling.

Apoptosis is proved responsible for renal damage during ischemia/reperfusion. The regulation for renal apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) has still been unclearly characterized to date. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of histone acetylation on IRI-induced renal apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms in rats with the application of curcumin possessing a variety of biological activities involving inhibition of apoptosis. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into four experimental groups (SHAM, IRI, curcumin, SP600125). Results showed that curcumin significantly decreased renal apoptosis and caspase-3/-9 expression and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. Treatment with curcumin in IRI rats also led to the decrease in expression of p300/cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CBP) and activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). Reduced histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation was found near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9 after curcumin treatment. In a similar way, SP600125, an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), also attenuated renal apoptosis and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. In addition, SP600125 suppressed the binding level of p300/CBP and H3K9 acetylation near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9, and curcumin could inhibit JNK phosphorylation like SP600125. These results indicate that curcumin could attenuate renal IRI via JNK/p300/CBP-mediated anti-apoptosis signaling.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of escin in relieving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in rats and explore and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( RESULTS: The rats in both the escin preconditioning group and escin postconditioning group showed obviously increased thresholds of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia as compared with those in the control group ( CONCLUSIONS Escin can alleviate chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in rats possibly by upregulating the expressions of autophagy-related proteins in the spinal cord.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Autophagy ; Escin/therapeutic use* ; Hyperalgesia/drug therapy* ; Mice ; Neuralgia/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord

COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread throughout the world. China has achieved rapid containment of this highly infectious disease following the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the Chinese protocol is based on its successful historic experience in fighting against pestilence. Current findings have shown that the Chinese medicine can reduce the incidence of severe or critical events, improve clinical recovery and help alleviate symptoms such as cough or fever. To date there are over 133 ongoing registered clinical studies on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The three Chinese patent medicines (/ (Forsythiae and Honeysuckle Flower Pestilence-Clearing Granules/Capsules), (Honeysuckle Flower Cold-Relieving Granules) and (Stasis-Resolving & Toxin-Removing) were officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration to list COVID-19 as an additional indication. The pharmacological studies have suggested that Chinese medicine is effective for COVID-19 probably through its host-directed regulation and certain antiviral effects.

Objective To investigate the correlation between NOTCH3 polymorphic locus rs1043994 and white matter lesions (WML). Methods The enrolled subjects were elderly in the outpatient clinic for health check-up from January 2015 to January 2017. According to the results of cranial MR examination, 337 elderly people were divided into the WML group (n=172) and normal control group (n=165). The inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 50 years old; (2) those who can cooperate with head MRI examination; (3) those who understand the study and agree to retain blood samples for SNP testing. Exclusion criteria were: (1) previous neurological diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, intracranial infection, dementia, and trauma; (2) having a history of mental illness; (3) suffering from serious diseases such as liver and kidney dysfunction, heart disease, tumors. The clinical data of the subjects were collected and the peripheral venous blood was extracted for DNA extraction. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-mental State Examination. The genotyping of the subjects was carried out by restriction endonuclease. The correlation between rs1043994 polymorphism and WML was analyzed by Logistic regression. Results There was no significant difference in gender, education level, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, uric acid and Hcy between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the WML group had a higher average age and a higher proportion of hypertension (P<0.05), and the Mini-mental State Examination scores between the two groups were statistically significant different (P<0.01). The genotypes (AA, AG, GG) frequency and allele (A, G) frequency distribution of rs1043994 were statistically different between the two groups (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (P=0.001), hypertension (P=0.012) and AA genotype (P=0.019) were independent risk factors of WML (P<0.05). The risk of WML in AA genotype is 2.512 times higher than that in AG/GG genotype. Conclusions The rs1043994 polymorphism of NOTCH3 gene is associated with WML in the elderly population, and the A allele is a susceptibility gene for WML. The rs1043994 polymorphism of the NOTCH3 gene may be a genetic risk factor for WML in the Chinese elderly population.

The clinical, pathological features and diagnostic methods of one case of adult-onset neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) were analyzed. The patient was 61-year-old female presented with progressive cognitive impairment, episodic unconsciousness, stroke-like attack and paroxysmal digestive tract symptoms. Diffusion-weighted images showed high signals at the cerebral cortico-medullary junction with lace-type distribution, which persisted. Skin biopsy revealed intranuclear inclusion bodies in adipocytes, fibroblasts, and sweat gland cells. This case suggests that adult neuronal nuclear inclusion disease is a chronically progressive neurodegenerative disease with a highly clinical heterogeneity. The subcortical lace sign and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies by skin biopsy contribute to the diagnosis.

[Objective]This study was conducted to examine the effects of dexmedetomidine on the proliferation and angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell lines cultured in hypoxia condition in vitro,and investigated the possible mechanism involved.[Methods]MHCC97H and SMCC7721 human HCC cell lines under hypoxia culture condition were treated with presence or absence of dexmedetomidine(100 μmol/L). Cell viability,colony formation,vasculogenic mimicry(VM) formation were assessed. The effects of dexmedetomidine on α-2A adrenergic receptor(α2A),hypoxia induced factor-1a(HIF-1a),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)protein expression were evaluated with Western blot analysis.[Results]Cell proliferation assay and colony formation assay indicated that hypoxia obviously promoted the proliferation of MHCC 97H and SMCC7721 cells(CoCl2 group vs corresponding control group,the proliferation rate of MHCC97H and SMCC7721:Day 3,142.2%and 133.8%;Day 4,134.7%and 131.0%;Day 5,133.5%and 136.2%;all P<0.05),and VM formation assay suggested that hypoxia increased angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 cells. Whereas dexmedetomidine significantly inhibited the proliferation(Dex+CoCl2 group vs CoCl2 group,the proliferation rate of MHCC97H and SMCC7721:Day 3,55.7%vs 60.7%;Day 4,46.9%vs 58.1%;Day 5,46.4%vs 57.0%,all P<0.05)and angiogenesis of MHCC97H,SMCC7721 cells induced by hypoxia. Dexmedetomidine may exert these functions by activating α-2A adrenergic receptor,causing an decrease in HIF-1a and VEGF protein,while hypoxia activated HIF-1a and VEGF protein to promote the growth and angiogenesis of cells.[Conclusion]The findings provide evidence that hypoxia could promote the proliferation and angiogenesis of MHCC97H and SMCC7721 cells,while dexmedetomidine might inhibit these effects by down-regulating HIF-1a and VEGF protein expression through activatingα-2A adrenergic receptor.