Objective: To development the prognostic nomogram for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods: Two hundred and ten patients pathologically confirmed as MPM were enrolled in this retrospective study from 2007 to 2020 in the People's Hospital of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the First and Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, and divided into training (n=112) and test (n=98) sets according to the admission time. The observation factors included demography, symptoms, history, clinical score and stage, blood cell and biochemistry, tumor markers, pathology and treatment. The Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of 112 patients in the training set. According to the results of multivariate Cox regression analysis, the prognostic prediction nomogram was established. C-Index and calibration curve were used to evaluate the model's discrimination and consistency in raining and test sets, respectively. Patients were stratified according to the median risk score of nomogram in the training set. Log rank test was performed to compare the survival differences between the high and low risk groups in the two sets. Results: The median overall survival (OS) of 210 MPM patients was 384 days (IQR=472 days), and the 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 75.7%, 52.6%, 19.7%, and 13.0%, respectively. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that residence (HR=2.127, 95% CI: 1.154-3.920), serum albumin (HR=1.583, 95% CI: 1.017-2.464), clinical stage (stage Ⅳ: HR=3.073, 95% CI: 1.366-6.910) and the chemotherapy (HR=0.476, 95% CI: 0.292-0.777) were independent prognostic factors for MPM patients. The C-index of the nomogram established based on the results of Cox multivariate regression analysis in the training and test sets were 0.662 and 0.613, respectively. Calibration curves for both the training and test sets showed moderate consistency between the predicted and actual survival probabilities of MPM patients at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The low-risk group had better outcomes than the high-risk group in both training (P=0.001) and test (P=0.003) sets. Conclusion: The survival prediction nomogram established based on routine clinical indicators of MPM patients provides a reliable tool for prognostic prediction and risk stratification.
Humans ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Prognosis ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Proportional Hazards Models

An immunologically stressed rat model was used in a metabolomics study on the ability of Paeoniae Rubra Radix to reduce the liver toxicity of Psoraleae Fructus. Different groups of rats were given the extracts of Psoraleae Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus together with Paeoniae Rubra Radix or combined with a non-toxic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The biochemical indices of liver function and pathological changes in liver tissue were used to evaluate histopathological changes. UHPLC-QTOF/MS was used to analyze the metabolic profile of serum samples, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) methods. The HMDB database and Metabo Analyst online tool were used for biomarker identification and metabolic pathway-enrichment analysis. The results show that the co-treatment Psoraleae Fructus and LPS resulted in significant liver injury, indicated by the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, as well as obvious pathological changes. Liver injury was significantly decreased by treatment with Paeoniae Rubra Radix. Metabolomic analysis showed that the addition of Paeoniae Rubra Radix ameliorated the abnormal serum metabolism in rats mainly through regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare and analyze the consistency and difference between metageno-mic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and conventional bacterial culture in the detection of pathogenic microorganisms in maxillofacial space infection, as well as to provide a new detection method for the early clinical identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection. METHODS: The clinical data of 16 patients with oral and maxillofacial space infections in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2020 to June 2020 were collected. mNGS and conventional bacterial culture methods were used to detect pus. We then analyzed and compared the test results of the two methods, including the test cycle, positive detection rate, anaerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobes and aerobic bacteria detection rates, distribution of pathogenic bacteria, relative species abundance, and resistance genes. RESULTS: The average inspection period of mNGS was (18.81±3.73) h, and the average inspection period of bacterial culture was (83.25±11.64) h, the former was shorter than the latter ( CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional bacterial culture, mNGS has the characteristics of short test time, high sensitivity, and high accuracy. Thus, it is a new detection method for the early identification of pathogenic bacteria in maxillofacial space infection and is beneficial to the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Bacteria/genetics* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Metagenomics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Technology

Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; China/epidemiology* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and develop a GDH-2 air sampling tube for detecting 12 kinds of chlorobenzenes(CBs) in workplace air and to establish a matching detecting method. METHODS: The self-developed GDH-2 air sampling tube was filled with ion exchange resin and activated carbon, and the mass ratio was 10 ∶1. The GDH-2 air sampling tube was used to collect 12 kinds of CBs with coexistence of gaseous and aerosol in the air. After elution with toluene, they were separated on a chromatographic column and determined by microcell electron capture detector. RESULTS: The quantitative detecting range of the method was 0.51×10~(-3)-6 000.00 mg/L, with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.999 4. The minimum detection concentration was 0.02-61.99 μg/m~3, and the minimum quantitative concentration was 0.05-206.62 μg/m~3. The average desorption efficiency was 90.8%-104.0%. The within-run relative standard deviation(RSD) was 1.0%-5.7%, and the between-run RSD was 3.0%-7.3%. The samples can be stored at room temperature for at least 26 days. CONCLUSION: The self-developed GDH-2 air sampling tube and its matching measuring method can be used for the collection and determination of the 12 kinds of CBs in the air of workplace.

【Objective】 To study the therapeutic effects of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) via intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection on the respiratory symptoms and inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice. 【Methods】 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including normal control group, ovalbumin(OVA) -induced model group, positive group and THC administration group. The latter two groups were treated with 2.5 mg/kg of dexamethasone(DEX) or 20 mg/kg of THC via i.p. injection from Day 21 to Day25. The weight changes and nasal symptoms were recorded before and after OVA challenge. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and the lung tissue and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected for assessment of histopathological alterations, Th cell subsets and related cytokine level. 【Results】 After THC treatment via i.p. injection, the asthmatic mice’s rubbing frequencies were reduced(P < 0.05) with a difference of 5.2 between the two means(95% CI = 0.66 to 9.74), lungs’pathological scores were reduced(P < 0.05) with a difference between the two means being 1.6(95% CI = 0.32 to 2.88), mucus production induced by hyperplasia of goblet cells was alleviated(P < 0.0001) with a difference between the two means being 9.56(95% CI = 5.05 to 14.07). Besides, compared with OVA group, the percentages of Th2 and Th17 cells were reduced(P < 0.01) with a difference between the two means being 1.49 and 2.15(95% CI = 0.50 to 2.49 and 0.72 to 3.58), respectively. The levels of interleukin(IL) -4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17A in BALF were decreased(P < 0.05) with a difference between the two means being 5.45, 4.13, 5.17 and 2.44 (95% CI = 1.95 to 8.94, 1.08 to 7.19, 0.80 to 9.54 and -0.30 to 5.17), respectively. The further comparison between THC and DEX groups showed no significant difference(P > 0.05) in the lung pathological change, Th17 cells, IL-13, and IL-17A levels. 【Conclusions】 It is concluded that i.p. injection of THC could effectively alleviate the respiratory symptoms and inhibit inflammatory reaction in asthmatic mice in short time with high safety. Therefore, i.p. injection of THC has the potential value to be the alternative therapeutic strategy for asthma.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke . Methods In this multi‐center study ,2 310 continuously inpatients with ischemic stroke diagnosed in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to M ay 2016 were enrolled . Carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color‐coded sonography or transcranial Doppler were performed in all patients to confirm the presence of cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion . According to the distribution of lesions ,the subjects were divided into 2 groups :the simple intracranial artery stenosis group and the simple extracranial artery stenosis group . T he difference of risk factors between the two groups was compared . Results Of the 2 310 patients with ischemic stroke ,1 516 ( 65 .6% ) had simple intracranial artery stenosis and 794 ( 34 .4% ) had simple extracranial artery stenosis . T he incidence of anterior circulation artery stenosis was higher in the group of intracranial artery stenosis than that in the extracranial artery stenosis group ( 68 .1% vs 48 .7% , P ＜0 .001) . Posterior circulation artery stenosis and combined anterior with posterior circulation artery stenosis were more common in patients with extracranial artery stenosis group than those in intracranial artery stenosis group ( 36 .4% vs 22 .1% ,14 .9% vs 9 .8% ;all P ＜0 .001) . Univariate analysis of risk factors for stroke showed that patients with intracranial arterial stenosis had a higher prevelence of hypertension , diabetes ,obesity ,and family history of stroke ,and their systolic blood pressure ,diastolic blood pressure , body mass index ( BM I) ,fasting blood‐glucose ,glycosylated hemoglobin ,triacylglycerol ,total cholesterol , and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher than those in the extracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . T he proportion of elderly ( ≥ 65 years old ) ,male and smokers in the extracranial arterial stenosis group was significantly higher than that in the intracranial arterial stenosis group ( all P ＜0 .05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly ( ≥65 years old) ,male , and smoking history were independent risk factors for extracranial arterial stenosis ( OR＝ 2 .012 ,1 .637 , 1 .325 ,respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . While hypertension ,diabetes ,less physical activity ,and high BM I levels were independent risk factors for simple intracranial arterial disease ( OR ＝ 1 .301 ,1 .252 ,1 .248 ,1 .030 , respectively ;all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions There are significant differences in the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in patients with ischemic stroke in China .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) for early drug intervention on the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), P-selectin, and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) in young rats with sepsis.

METHODSA total of 120 male rats aged 4 weeks were randomly divided into normal control group, sham-operation group, sepsis group, low-dose UTI group (50 000 U/kg), and high-dose UTI group (200 000 U/kg), with 24 rats in each group. Modified cecal ligation and puncture was performed to establish a rat model of sepsis, and the rats in the low- and high-dose UTI groups were given caudal vein injection of UTI after model establishment. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of TNF-α, P-selectin, and TAT at 6, 12, and 24 hours after model establishment.

RESULTSThe sepsis group had significant increases in the serum levels of TNF-α, P-selectin, and TAT at 6 hours, and the serum levels of TNF-α and TAT continued to increase by 24 hours (P<0.05); P-selectin reached the peak at 12 hours and decreased slightly at 24 hours (P<0.05). The UTI groups had similar change patterns in the levels of P-selectin and TAT as the sepsis group. The UTI groups had significant increases in the level of TNF-α at 6 hours, but gradually decreased over time. The changes in serum levels of TNF-α, P-selectin, and TAT in the UTI groups were significantly smaller than in the sepsis group (P<0.05). The high-dose UTI group had significantly smaller changes in serum levels of TNF-α, P-selectin, and TAT than the low-dose UTI group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEarly intervention with UTI can significantly improve coagulation function and inhibit the production of TNF-α, P-selectin, and TAT in young rats with sepsis. High-dose UTI has a significantly greater effect than low-dose UTI.

Animals ; Antithrombin III ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Peptide Hydrolases ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUNDCurrent treatments for scoliosis have some defects and complications. To study spinal deformities and test novel scoliosis treatments, many animal models of scoliosis have been developed. These models applied a single load to the spine and could not precisely modulate the spinal growth in different dimensions. In this study, we applied posterior tethering in various directions with the application of nickel-titanium (NT) coil springs in dog's spine to modulate spinal growth in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes and create a scoliosis model possess curves that mimic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) three dimensionally.

METHODSScoliosis was surgically induced in eight 8-week-old female dogs (weight: 1.95-2.30 kg) using bone screws and NT coil springs. The deformity was induced through the placement of posterior NT coil springs that tethered the spine by bone screw fixation. All dogs were monitored with serial radiographs to document changes in deformities.

RESULTSAll experimental animals developed scoliotic curves convex to the left in the lumbar segment. The mean coronal Cobb angle was 18.0° immediately postoperatively and 54.5° at 22 weeks. The mean lordosis increased from 6.2° postoperatively to 35.0° at final follow-up. Apical axial rotation increased from 4.5° postoperatively to 31.2° at 22 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSWith the application of NT springs in dogs that allowed posterior tethering in various directions, lumbar spinal deformity was achieved in three planes: coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes. Notably, the lumbar spine in surgically treated dogs developed lordoscoliosis with obvious rotation and the curves mimic AIS three dimensionally well. This method allows lumbar scoliosis to develop without deep dissection of muscle and maintains the essential anatomical elements along the spinal curve. Moreover, the spinal growth modulation technique could yield information that would provide a basis for developing novel early-stage treatments for children with scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE To observe whether human CD4 + T cells could be activated by immuno-globulin D (IgD) via IgD receptor(IgDR)-Lck. METHODS Human CD4+ T cells were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with microbeads. The viability of T cells were detected by CCK-8. The binding affinity and expression of IgDR on T cells were detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression of IgDR, Lck and P-Lck were analyzed by western blot. RESULTS IgD could concentration-dependent bind to IgDR on CD4+ T cells. The expression of IgDR was increased in response to treatment with IgD in a time- dependent and concentration- dependent manner. Stimulating by IgD resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Lck compared with that in the medium control sample. The expression of Lck was not changed. As inhibitor of PTK, Herbimycin A or A770041, which combined with IgD could significantly inhibit phosphorylation of Lck(Tyr394). The proliferation promoting effect of IgD was blocked by Herbimycin A or A770041. IgD could stimulate CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation through upreg?ulating activating tyrosine residue of Lck (Tyr394) phosphorylation. CONCLUSION These results demon?strate that IgD exaggerates CD4+T cell activities, which may be through promoting Lck phosphorylation.