ObjectiveTo obtain the gene sequences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) Ⅱgenes of Wuzhishan pigs, analyze their genetic information, and explore the biological functions of their MHC system. MethodsSpleen samples were collected from 3 adult male Wuzhishan pigs. Primers were designed according to MHCⅡ gene sequences, and the coding sequences of Wuzhishan pig MHCⅡ genes were amplified by RT-PCR. Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the full-length sequences. Bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, structural domains, chromosomal localization, and syntenic relationships of these genes. ResultsEight MHCⅡ genes were identified in Wuzhishan pigs, designated as SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, SLA-DMB, SLA-DMA and SLA-DOA. The full-length sequences of these genes were determined by Sanger sequencing and subsequently deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PQ182796, PQ182797, PQ182798, PQ182799, PQ182800, PQ182801, PQ182802, and PQ164779. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the six MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs clustered separately from their counterparts in Duroc, Meishan, Large White, and Bama pigs, indicating distinct evolutionary trajectories. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that most MHC Ⅱ proteins were hydrophobic, with molecular weights ranging from 27 700 to 30 000 Da. Genes within the same subregion shared conserved motifs. Specifically, four MHCⅡ proteins encoded by SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, and SLA-DMB contained the MHCⅡβ conserved domain, while those encoded by the genes SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DMA, and SLA-DOA contained the MHCⅡα conserved domain. The eight MHCⅡ genes were scattered along the long arm of chromosome 7 in the Wuzhishan pigs, exhibiting syntenic relationships with three human genes and five Duroc pig genes. ConclusionThe MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs may possess a unique evolutionary origin.

ObjectiveTo obtain the gene sequences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) Ⅱgenes of Wuzhishan pigs, analyze their genetic information, and explore the biological functions of their MHC system. MethodsSpleen samples were collected from 3 adult male Wuzhishan pigs. Primers were designed according to MHCⅡ gene sequences, and the coding sequences of Wuzhishan pig MHCⅡ genes were amplified by RT-PCR. Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the full-length sequences. Bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, structural domains, chromosomal localization, and syntenic relationships of these genes. ResultsEight MHCⅡ genes were identified in Wuzhishan pigs, designated as SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, SLA-DMB, SLA-DMA and SLA-DOA. The full-length sequences of these genes were determined by Sanger sequencing and subsequently deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PQ182796, PQ182797, PQ182798, PQ182799, PQ182800, PQ182801, PQ182802, and PQ164779. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the six MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs clustered separately from their counterparts in Duroc, Meishan, Large White, and Bama pigs, indicating distinct evolutionary trajectories. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that most MHC Ⅱ proteins were hydrophobic, with molecular weights ranging from 27 700 to 30 000 Da. Genes within the same subregion shared conserved motifs. Specifically, four MHCⅡ proteins encoded by SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, and SLA-DMB contained the MHCⅡβ conserved domain, while those encoded by the genes SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DMA, and SLA-DOA contained the MHCⅡα conserved domain. The eight MHCⅡ genes were scattered along the long arm of chromosome 7 in the Wuzhishan pigs, exhibiting syntenic relationships with three human genes and five Duroc pig genes. ConclusionThe MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs may possess a unique evolutionary origin.

Arsenic is a widely occurring metalloid element in the natural environment and is one of the primary carcinogens identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), but the specific carcinogenic mechanism is currently unclear. In recent years, through toxicological studies on arsenic, it has been found that exposure to arsenic can affect cellular metabolism in the body, which may be closely related to the carcinogenic mechanism of arsenic. Therefore, the authors review the research progress on arsenic exposure-induced effects on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, with a view to providing a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of arsenic carcinogenesis.

Liver is the central hub regulating energy metabolism during feeding-fasting transition. Evidence suggests that fasting and refeeding induce dynamic changes in liver size, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key regulator of organ size. This study aims to explore the role of YAP in fasting- and refeeding-induced changes in liver size. Here, fasting significantly reduced liver size, which was recovered to the normal level after refeeding. Moreover, hepatocyte size was decreased and hepatocyte proliferation was inhibited after fasting. Conversely, refeeding promoted hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation compared to fasted state. Mechanistically, fasting or refeeding regulated the expression of YAP and its downstream targets, as well as the proliferation-related protein cyclin D1 (CCND1). Furthermore, fasting significantly reduced the liver size in AAV-control mice, which was mitigated in AAV Yap (5SA) mice. Yap overexpression also prevented the effect of fasting on hepatocyte size and proliferation. Besides, the recovery of liver size after refeeding was delayed in AAV Yap shRNA mice. Yap knockdown attenuated refeeding-induced hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation. In summary, this study demonstrated that YAP plays an important role in dynamic changes of liver size during fasting-refeeding transition, which provides new evidence for YAP in regulating liver size under energy stress.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum cystatin C (CysC) and clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy.Methods:Four hundred and twenty-one cases of primary IgA nephropathy diagnosed by renal biopsy in Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2010 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the serum CysC level at the time of renal biopsy, the patients were divided into high serum CysC group and normal serum CysC group, and the clinical data and pathological indices of the patients were compared. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum CysC. The clinicopathological factors related to the serum CysC level were analyzed by multiple linear regression. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the ability of serum CysC level to predict related pathological injury.Results:The age, prevalence of hypertension, serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels of high serum CysC group were significantly higher than those of normal serum CysC group, while the eGFR level was significantly lower than that of normal serum CysC group ( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum CysC was negatively correlated with eGFR ( r=-0.744, P<0.001). In terms of pathological injury, the degree of renal tubular atrophy and renal interstitial fibrosis (T) and renal arteriole wall thickening (A) in high serum CysC group were more serious than those in normal serum CysC group ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the prevalence of hypertension, serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, T and A were correlated with serum CysC levels (standard regression coefficient β=0.048, 0.299, 0.260, 0.134, 0.195, 0.068, respectively, P<0.05). After adding serum CysC on the basis of clinical features, the prediction efficiency of renal tubular atrophy and renal interstitial fibrosis was higher (AUC were 0.829 [95% CI 0.787-0.870], 0.847 [95% CI 0.808-0.886], P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with older age, hypertension, poor renal function and severe pathological damage are more likely to have elevated serum CysC levels. Serum CysC was related to the prevalence of hypertension, creatinine, urea, uric acid, T and A. Combined with serum CysC level can effectively improve the ability prediction of T.

Lifestyle interventions, including dietary adjustments and exercise, are important for obesity management. This study enrolled adults with overweight or obesity to explore whether either low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) or exercise is more effective in metabolism improvement. Forty-five eligible subjects were randomly divided into an LCD group (n = 22) and an exercise group (EX, n = 23). The subjects either adopted LCD (carbohydrate intake < 50 g/day) or performed moderate-to-vigorous exercise (⩾ 30 min/day) for 3 weeks. After the interventions, LCD led to a larger weight loss than EX ( - 3.56 ± 0.37 kg vs. - 1.24 ± 0.39 kg, P < 0.001), as well as a larger reduction in fat mass ( - 2.10 ± 0.18 kg vs. - 1.25 ± 0.24 kg, P = 0.007) and waist circumference ( - 5.25 ± 0.52 cm vs. - 3.45 ± 0.38 cm, P = 0.008). Both interventions reduced visceral and subcutaneous fat and improved liver steatosis and insulin resistance. Triglycerides decreased in both two groups, whereas low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the LCD group but decreased in the EX group. Various glycemic parameters, including serum glycated albumin, mean sensor glucose, coefficient of variability (CV), and largest amplitude of glycemic excursions, substantially declined in the LCD group. Only CV slightly decreased after exercise. This pilot study suggested that the effects of LCD and exercise are similar in alleviating liver steatosis and insulin resistance. Compared with exercise, LCD might be more efficient for weight loss and glucose homeostasis in people with obesity.
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Weight Loss

Objective:To investigate the application value of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology assisted laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 8 (Lap-S8).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 8 liver cancer patients including 7 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 case with intrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma who underwent 3D printing technology assisted Lap-S8 in the Hunan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were collected. There were 7 males and 1 female, aged from 49.0 to 80.0 years, with a median age of 56.5 years. Of the 8 patients, 6 cases underwent laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of the entire segment 8, 1 case underwent laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of ventral subsegmental of the segment 8 and 1 case underwent laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of dorsal subsegmental of the segment 8. 3D printing technology was used to assist preoperative evaluation and intraoperative navigation for all 8 patients. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination, internet or telephone interview to detect survival and tumor recurrence of patients after operation up to March 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical situations: all the 8 patients underwent 3D printing technology assisted Lap-S8 successfully, without conversion to open surgery. The operation time, hepatic portal occlusion time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the 8 patients were (216±41)minutes, (56±11)minutes and 75 mL(range, 50 to 300 mL), respectively. There was no intraoperative blood transfusion in 8 patients, and the surgical margin of the 8 patients was negative. (2) Postoperative situations: the duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 8 patients were (9±3)days. There was no complication such as postoperative hemorrhage, biliary fistula, liver abscess or abdominal infection occurred. (3) Follow-up: all the 8 patients were followed up for 3.0?24.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 12.5 months. During the follow-up, 1 of 8 patients with preoperative diagnosis of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma developed tumor recurrence at 5 months after operation. The patient underwent laparoscopic surgery followed with the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and target therapy, and survived with tumor. There was no tumor recurrence in the other 7 patients.Conclusion:3D printing technology assisted Lap-S8 is safe and feasible.

Objective:To identify the risk factors of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for Vater′s ampullary carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 93 Vater's ampullary carcinoma patients who had undergone PD in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. According to the occurrence of CR-POPF, all patients were divided into the CR-POPF group and no CR-POPF group. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis by logistic regression model were performed for perioperative risk factors of CR-POPF to identify the independent risk factors for CR-POPF after PD for Vater's ampullary carcinoma.Results:44 patients developed CR-POPF and the rate of CR-POPF was 47.3%(44/93). The most frequently detected microorganisms from abdominal drain fluid after operation were Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.8%), Enterococcus faecalis (19.4%), Enterobacter cloacae (11.8%) and Enterococcus faecium (10.7%). The results of univariate analysis showed that operation time, C-reactive protein (CRP) on postoperative day (POD)1, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in the abdominal drainage were statistically different between the two groups (all P value <0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that CRP on POD1 ( OR 1.029, 95% CI 1.003-1.055, P=0.026), Klebsiella pneumoniae( OR 8.671, 95% CI 2.366-31.772, P=0.001), Enterococcus faecalis( OR 10.497, 95% CI 2.306-41.776, P=0.002) and Enterococcus faecium ( OR 22.580, 95% CI 2.303-221.403, P=0.007) in the abdominal drainage were independent risk factors for the development of CR-POPF after PD for Vater′s ampullary carcinoma. Conclusions:CRP on POD1, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in the drain samples were independent risk factors for the development of CR-POPF after PD for Vater′s ampullary carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of longitudinal transpancreatic U-sutures invaginated pancreatojejunostomy (Chen′s pancreaticojejunostomy technique) in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) . Methods: Clinical data of 116 consecutive patients who underwent LPD using Chen′s pancreaticojejunostomy technique in Hunan Provincial People′s Hospital from May 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 66 were males and 50 were females. The median age was 58 years old (32-84 yeas old). All 116 patients underwent pure laparoscopic whipple procedure with Child reconstruction method, using Chen′s pancreaticojejunostomy technique. The intraoperative and postoperative data of patients were analyzed. Results: All 116 patients underwent LPD successfully. The mean operative time was (260.3±33.5) minutes (200-620 minutes). The mean time of pancreaticojejunostomy was (18.2±7.6) minutes (14-35 minutes) . The mean time of hepaticojejunostomy was (14.6±6.3) minutes (10-25 minutes). The mean time of gastrojejunostomy was (12.0±5.5) minutes (8-20 minutes). The mean estimated blood loss was (106.0±87.6) ml (20-800 ml). Postoperative complications were: 11.2% (13/116) of cases had postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) , including 10.3% (12/116) of biochemical fistula and 0.9% (1/116) of grade B POPF, no grade C POPF occurred; 10.3% (12/116) had gastrojejunal anastomotic bleeding; 3.4% (4/116) had hepaticojejunal anastomotic fistula; 3.4% (4/116) had delayed gastric emptying; 4.3% (5/116) had localized abdominal infection; 12.1% (14/116) had pulmonary infection; postoperative mortality were 0(0/116) and 1.7% (2/116) within 30 days and 90 days, respectively. One patient died of massive abdominal bleeding secondary to Gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm rupture, the other patient died of extensive tumor recurrence and metastasis after surgery. Conclusions Chen′s pancreaticojejunostomy technique is safe and feasible for LPD.It is an option especially for surgeons who have not completed the learning curve of LPD.

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: The retrospective study was adopted. The clinical data of 58 patients with ICC who underwent laparoscopic liver resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary Minimally Invasive Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hu′nan Normal University were collected From January 2016 to December 2018. Among them, 34 patients were males and 24 were females, aged from 34 to 71 years with a median age of 54 years. Observation indicators: (1) Surgical treatment: surgical methods, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion rate, intraoperative hepatic portal blocking time, conversion rate, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay. (2) Postoperative pathological conditions. (3) Follow-up.Follow-up visits were conducted using an outpatient clinic and telephone to understand patient survival after surgery. The follow-up period was until June 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as (Mean±SD), count data was expressed as frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 58 patients were included in this study, of which 48 patients underwent laparoscopic radical surgical resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 10 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion to laparotomy. (1) Surgical treatment: laparoscopic resection of the left liver (segments Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ), laparoscopic resection of the right liver (segments Ⅴ, Ⅵ, Ⅶ and Ⅷ), laparoscopic resection of the right posterior lobe (segments Ⅵ and Ⅶ), laparoscopic extended resection of the right posterior lobe, laparoscopic resection of the middle lobe (Ⅳ, Ⅴ and Ⅷ), laparoscopic resection of the V and Ⅵ, laparoscopic resection of the left liver (segments Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ) combined with the caudate lobe (segments I and Ⅸ), laparoscopic extended left hemihepatectomy, laparoscopic resection of the VI, laparoscopic resection of the Ⅶ and Ⅷ, laparoscopic resection of the left lateral lobe (segments Ⅱ and Ⅲ) and laparoscopic resection of the right hepatic mass; operation time: (320.38±107.68) min; intraoperative blood loss: (262.34±76.06); intraoperative blood loss: 0 (0/58); Intraoperative hepatic portal occlusion time: (48±15) min, the conversion rate was 17.2% (10/58); the incidence of postoperative biliary fistula was 6.8% (4/58), and the patient was discharged after conservative treatment and unobstructed drainage (T-tube vacuum suction); the postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time was (1.84±0.57) d; no other serious complications occurred.Postoperative hospital stay: (9.34±3.39) d; there were no deaths and unplanned surgeries during the perioperative period. (2) Pathological conditions: 32 cases received lymph node dissection during the operation, and 26 cases showed cholangiocarcinoma without lymph node dissection; pathological examination showed that the pathological reports of all tumor margins were negative, and 4 cases showed lymph node dissection and positive lymph node metastasis. (3) Follow-up results: of the 58 patients with ICC, 49 were followed up for 6 to 36 months. The tumor survival time was (4 to 36) months. 28 patients survived without tumor. 17 patients had intrahepatic metastasis with multiple lymph node metastasis. 4 patients were treated with microwave ablation after intrahepatic metastasis was found. 9 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion Laparoscopic treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is safe and feasible in experienced centers.