Objective:To investigate the role of oxidative stress and silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) in cartilage injury in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) by evaluating the level of oxidative stress and the effect of oxidative injury on SIRT1 expression in patients with KBD.Methods:In May 2017, Twenty patients with KBD were selected from Guide County of Qinghai Province as the KBD group, and 40 healthy subjects were selected as the control group, 5 ml elbow venous blood was collected, centrifuged, and the upper plasma was retained. The glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and SIRT1 mRNA level was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Meanwhile, 150 μmol/L tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) was selected to damage chondrocytes; and different concentrations of sodium selenite (Na 2SeO 3) were used to intervene in chondrocytes to detect cell viability, and appropriate concentration of Na 2SeO 3 was selected for pre protection. Total RNA and DNA of chondrocytes were extracted. The mRNA levels of SIRT1, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region were determined by RT-qPCR. At the same time, Hoechst 33342 staining was used to detect chondrocyte apoptosis. Results:The plasma GPX activity [(35.48 ± 8.82) U/g·Hb] in KBD group was lower than that in control group [(40.43 ± 6.68) U/g·Hb, t = - 2.43, P = 0.018], and the ROS level [(577.10 ± 96.92) U/ml] was higher than that in control group [(526.44 ± 62.63) U/ml, t = 2.13, P = 0.043]. GPX activity was positively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = 0.44, P = 0.005), while ROS level was negatively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = - 0.39, P = 0.006). After 48 hours of treatment with 150 μmol/L tBHP (tBHP injury group), the survival rate of chondrocytes decreased to (55.27 ± 2.96)%; and the survival rate of chondrocytes pre-protected with 0.10 μg/ml Na 2SeO 3 (selenium protection group) was significantly higher than that of tBHP injury group ( P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the SIRT1 mRNA level of chondrocytes in tBHP injury group was significantly decreased; while the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region, DNMT1 mRNA level and cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Compared with tBHP injury group, the selenium protection group had higher levels of SIRT1 mRNA in chondrocytes, lower levels of DNA methylation in the SIRT1 promoter region, DNMT1 mRNA, and cell apoptosis rate ( P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate was negatively correlated with SIRT1 mRNA level ( r s = - 0.78, P = 0.004), and positively correlated with the DNA methylation level in the SIRT1 promoter region ( r s = 0.76, P = 0.006). Conclusions:KBD patients have increased levels of oxidative stress, which may be associated with low expression of SIRT1. Oxidative injury may down-regulate SIRT1 expression and promote chondrocytes apoptosis by catalyzing DNA methylation in the SIRT1 promoter region.

Objective:To investigate the current status of hospitalized neonatal death of different gestational ages in Shaanxi Province.Methods:All neonatal deaths in six hospitals in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the differences in perinatal complications, the causes of death, and the age at death were compared using Chi-square (or Fisher's exact ) test. Results:(1) Totally, 220 488 neonates were delivered in the obstetric department of the six hospitals during the study period; 71 782 out of them were admitted to the neonatal department. While 424 neonatal death was reported, giving the total hospitalized neonates mortality rate of 5.5‰ (394/71 782), which included 152 deaths of transferred patients ( n=9 103, 16.7‰), 226 premature (53.3%), 196 term (46.2%), and two post-term infants (0.5%). (2) Among mothers of dead neonates, 73.6% were found to have at least one perinatal complication. The most common one was fetal distress (146 cases, 34.4%), followed by gestational diabetes mellitus (113 cases, 26.7%), amniotic fluid abnormalities ( n=73, 17.2%), maternal infectious diseases ( n=71, 16.8%), and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) ( n=52, 12.3%). The lower the gestational age, the higher the proportion of multiple pregnancies and assisted reproduction technology applied (Fisher exact test, P<0.05). On the contrary, the higher the gestational age, the higher the cesarean section rate ( χ 2=26.69, P<0.001). HDP was more likely to occur in the gestational age of 28-31 +6 and 32-34 +6 weeks ( χ 2=37.16, P<0.001), and amniotic fluid abnormalities were more likely to occur in those over 37 weeks ( χ 2=27.47, P<0.001). (3) The five leading causes of neonatal death were neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS, n=100, 23.6%), neonatal asphyxia ( n=88, 20.8%), maternal infectious diseases ( n=80, 18.9%), and birth defects ( n=54, 12.7%), and pulmonary hemorrhage ( n=22, 5.2%). The first three causes of death in term and post-term infants were neonatal asphyxia ( n=65, 32.8%), birth defects ( n=42, 21.2%), and infectious diseases ( n=26, 13.1%). NRDS ( n=83, 36.7%), infectious diseases ( n=54, 23.9%), and neonatal asphyxia ( n=23, 10.2%) were the three leading causes of death of premature babies. (4) Out of the 326 (76.9%) neonatal deaths within seven days after birth, 162 (38.2%) died within 24 h after birth and 164 cases (38.7%) between one to seven days after birth. Conclusions:Most neonatal deaths occurred among preterm ones and within seven days after birth, whose mothers suffered perinatal complications. The causes of neonatal death vary among different gestational age groups.

Objective:To study risk factors and clinical outcomes of nosocomial infection (NI) in extremely premature infants (EPIs).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2021, EPIs admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively studied. The infants were assigned into NI group and non-NI group. The NI group were further assigned into survival group and death group. Single factor analysis was conducted using chi-square test, t-test and non-parametric test. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors of NI and death.Results:A total of 115 cases were enrolled, including 67 (58.3%) in NI group, 54 in survival group and 12 in death group. One case gave up treatment. 48 cases were in non-NI group. 81 episodes of nosocomial infections occurred in NI group and the case infection rate was 70.4% (81/115). 48 cases (41.7%) had late-onset sepsis, 14 (12.2%) neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, 13 (11.3%) pneumonia, 1 (0.9%) urinary tract infection and 1 (0.9%) thrush. Hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and long duration of parenteral nutrition were independent risk factors for NI in EPIs ( P<0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (100.0% vs. 70.8%) and mortality (17.9% vs. 2.1%) in NI group was higher than non-NI group ( P<0.05). Septic shock was an independent risk factor for the death due to NI. Conclusions:The incidence of NI in EPIs is high. hsPDA and long duration of parenteral nutrition are independent risk factors for NI in EPIs. EPIs with NI have high incidence of BPD and mortality and septic shock is an independent risk factor for death.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of neonatal gastric perforation (NGP) and risk factors of mortality.Methods:From January 2015 to May 2022, infants with NGP admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively studied. They were assigned into the survival group and the death group. Clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging results, surgical treatments and prognosis were compared and risk factors of mortality were determined.Results:A total of 27 infants with NGP were enrolled, including 17 males and 10 females. 24 were premature infants and 3 were term infants. 26 infants had low birth weight. 3 infants had neonatal resuscitation due to asphyxia, 10 received positive pressure ventilation before the onset of perforation symptoms, 2 showed gastrointestinal malformations and 3 with septic shock before surgery. The median age of onset was 2.0 d. The main presenting symptom was abdominal distension, with most perforations occurring at the greater curvature of the stomach. 20 cases had congenital gastric muscular layer defects. 21 cases survived and 6 cases died. Age of onset was later in the death group than the survival group [2.5 (2.0, 7.8) days vs. 1.9 (1.4, 3.0) days]. The survival group had higher preoperative platelet count than the death group [(218±80) ×10 9/L vs. (126±73)×10 9/L]. The incidences of thrombocytopenia, septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome before surgery in the survival group were significantly lower than the death group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative thrombocytopenia was a risk factor for NGP mortality ( OR=19.000, 95% CI 2.029-177.932, P=0.010). Conclusions:NGP is more common in male infants, premature infants and low birth weight infants. The most common etiology is congenital gastric muscular layer defects. The mortality rate is high and preoperative thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for mortality.

The clinical data of 5 patients with autoimmune encephalitis admitted to the psychiatric department of the 904th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Service Force from January 2016 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 5 patients, 4 had stress psychological events within one month before the onset, and 3 had precursor symptoms such as fever and vomiting. They were all characterized by rapid progress of atypical mental and behavioral abnormalities and cognitive impairment. In terms of neurological symptoms, 1 case had faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS), 3 cases had seizures, 2 cases had involuntary movement, and 4 cases had autonomic dysfunction, including central hypopnea, arrhythmia, blood pressure instability and paroxysmal facial flushing. Most neurological symptoms occur within 1 month of the onset. MRI revealed abnormalities in cerebral cortex, thalamus, temporal lobe and insular lobe in 4 cases; EEG demonstrated bilateral short-range medium amplitude θ wave in 2 cases. Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was detected in 4 cases and 2 cases had abnormal cell number CSF. Three patients had positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody, one patient had positive anti-LGI1 antibody, and one patient had positive anti-γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA BR) antibody. One case was discharged automatically, the remaining 4 patients were treated with glucocorticoid or combined with gamma globulin and cyclophosphamide, antiepileptic drugs, antipsychotic drugs and other symptomatic treatment, and their symptoms were relieved. Patients were followed up for six months, there was slightly slow residual reaction in 2 cases and personality change in 1 case. Autoimmune encephalitis characterized by mental symptoms is likely to be misdiagnosed as mental disorders. Clinicians should identify symptoms different from mental disorders, taking into account of the possibility of autoimmune encephalitis, to make early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To study the relationship between white matter injury (WMI) and brain maturity in preterm infants at full-term corrected gestational age (cGA).Methods:A retrospective study was performed in preterm infants [GA≤32 weeks or birth weight (BW) ≤1 500 g] admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2017 to August 2018 and the Northwest Women and Children's Hospital from January 2017 to June 2017. The infants received conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at cGA 37~42 weeks. The infants were assigned into the WMI group and the control group according to the WMI scoring system, including the total maturation scores (TMS) and four sub-item scores.Results:A total of 118 premature infants were enrolled in this study (17 cases in the WMI group and 101 cases in the control group). The GA was (30.3±1.7) weeks, and BW was (1 356±268) g. The proportion of delayed TMS in the WMI group was significantly higher than the control group [58.8%(10/17) vs. 31.7%(32/101), P<0.05]. The TMS of the WMI group were significantly lower than the control group [(10.7±1.8) vs. (11.8±1.5), P<0.05]. The sub-item scores of TMS showed that the myelination [(2.8±0.6) vs. (3.1±0.4), P<0.05] and glial cell migration bands of the WMI group [(1.6±0.4) vs. (2.1±0.6), P=0.004] were significantly lower than the control group and no significant differences existed in cortical folding and involution of germinal matrix tissue scores between the two groups. Conclusions:The brain maturity of preterm infants with WMI is substantially delayed than those without WMI, including delayed myelination and delayed disappearance of glial cell migration bands.

Objective:To study the predictive value of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and the ratio of bilirubin to albumin (B/A) in neonatal acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE).Methods:Neonates with extremely severe hyperbilirubinemia (TSB≥425 μmol/L) treated in the Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Northwest Women and Children's Hospital, Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Liaocheng People's Hospital from March 2018 to August 2019 were selected as prospective subjects for this study. According to the score of brain injury induced by bilirubin, the subjects were divided into ABE group and non-ABE group, and the predictive value of TSB peak and B/A for neonatal ABE were analyzed.Results:A total of 194 infants with extremely severe hyperbilirubinemia were recruited in this study, including 20 in ABE group and 174 in non-ABE group. The peak value of bilirubin ranged from 427 to 979 μmol/L. The optimal critical values of TSB peak value and B/A for ABE prediction were 530 μmol/L and 9.48, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ABE prediction were 85.0% and 92.8% when combined with TSB peak and B/A values.Conclusions:TSB peak combined with B/A value can effectively identify neonatal ABE. When the TSB peak value was greater than 530 μmol/L and the B/A value was greater than 9.48, the neonates had a higher risk of neonatal ABE.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, biological tissue engineering is a growing field of research. Biocompatibility is a key indicator for measuring tissue engineering biomaterials, which is of great significance for the replacement and repair of damaged tissues. METHODS: In this study, using gelatin, carboxymethyl chitosan, and sodium alginate, a tissue engineering material scaffold that can carry cells was successfully prepared. The material was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the prepared scaffolds have physicochemical properties, such as swelling ratio, biodegradability.we observed the biocompatibility of the hydrogel to different adult stem cells (BMSCs and ADSCs) in vivo and in vitro. Adult stem cells were planted on gelatin-carboxymethyl chitosan-sodium alginate (Gel/SA/CMCS) hydrogels for 7 days in vitro, and the survival of stem cells in vitro was observed by live/died staining. Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogels loaded with stem cells were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice for 14 days of in vivo culture observation. The survival of adult stem cells was observed by staining for stem cell surface markers (CD29, CD90) and Ki67. RESULTS: The scaffolds had a microporous structure with an appropriate pore size (about 80 lm). Live/died staining showed that adult stem cells could stably survive in Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogels for at least 7 days. After 14 days of culture in nude mice, Ki67 staining showed that the stem cells supported by Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogel still had high proliferation activity. CONCLUSION Gel/SA/CMCSs hydrogel has a stable interpenetrating porous structure, suitable swelling performance and degradation rate, can promote and support the survival of adult stem cells in vivo and in vitro, and has good biocompatibility. Therefore, Gel/SA/CMCS hydrogel is a strong candidate for biological tissue engineering materials.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment methods and prognosis of renal primary neuroendocrine neoplasms.Methods:The clinical data of 42 patients with renal neuroendocrine neoplasms admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2011 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 17 males and 25 females. The median age was 60.0 (50.0, 67.0) years old.The CT enhancement scan lesion was slightly intensified with less intensification than normal renal parenchyma.The clinic manifestation included lumbar abdominal pain in 7 cases, hematuria in 3 cases, abdominal distension in 1 cases, and asymptomatic in 8 cases. The average diameter of tumor was 8.0 (4.0, 10.0) cm. The tumor of 13 cases was in the left, and 6 cases was in the right. 6 cases were in T 1 stage, 11 cases were in T 2, 11 cases were in T 3, and 14 cases were in T 4.17 cases had lymph node metastasis, 11 cases had distant metastasis.The surgical method was radical nephrectomy in 27 cases, nephrectomy in 5 cases and interventional embolization in 4 case, and no operation in 6 cases, including 5 with chemotherapy alone and 1 with supportive care.Patients were classified by WHO Classification of renal tumors of the urinary system and the male reproductive organs (2016) into high-differentiated renal neuroendocrine tumors (NET, including carcinoid and atypical carcinoids) and high-grade renal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC, including small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma). The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of the 2 groups were compared, and the Cox proportional regression risk model was used to analyze the clinical factors affecting the prognosis. Results:In the NET group, 12 cases were carcinoids and 7 cases were atypical carcinoids. In the NEC group, 23 cases were small cell carcinomas.The mean Ki-67 index of 42 cases was 35% (4.5%, 62.5%). The proportion of positive expression of the neuroendocrine markers CD56, chromogranin A (CgA), and synapsin (Syn) were (37/42), (15/42), and (38/42), respectively. A total of 42 patients were followed up, and the median follow-up time was 60 (35, 99) months, and the median survival time was 25 (15, 60) months. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 40.0% and 21.2%. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates in the NET group were 72.6% and 42.3%.The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates in the NEC groups were 6.3% and 0, respectively. The mean Ki-67 index was 3% (2%, 10%) in the NET group, 2 patients received postoperative chemotherapy and 3 patients had early progression after initial treatment.The mean Ki-67 index in the NEC group was 60% (40%, 80%), 15 patients received postoperative chemotherapy, and 13 patients had early progression of initial treatment.There were statistically differences in treatment method, postoperative chemotherapy, Ki-67 index, and early disease progression (all P <0.05) between the two groups.The results of univariate analysis showed that sex, age, early progression, treatment method, tumor differentiation, and Ki-67 index were all factors influencing patient prognosis (all P <0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that poorly differentiated NEC ( HR=13.964, P=0.003) and early progression ( HR=3.626, P=0.018) were independent risk factors for patient survival, and renal radical surgery ( HR=0.197, P=0.033) was independent protective factors for patient survival. Further subgroup analysis showed that the median survival time of the NEC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery was significantly longer compared with the patients without adjuvant chemotherapy (21 and 9 months, P=0.012). Conclusions:Primary renal neuroendocrine tumors are clinically rare, often manifested as lumbar and abdominal pain, and radical renal surgical treatment is preferred.The NET has a better prognosis and NEC prognosis is extremely poor, but NEC patients can have survival benefit from chemotherapy. NEC and early progression of the disease are independent prognostic risk factors, and radical renal surgical treatment is an independent protective factor for prognosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical features and prognosis of urachal carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 35 patients with urachal carcinoma admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2011 to November 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 23 males and 12 females, with a male to female ratio of 1.92∶1. The average age was (52.1±13.9) years old, and the median age was 55 years old. There were 8 patients with a history of smoking and 3 patients with a history of drinking. There were 5 cases of hypertension, 5 cases of diabetes, 2 cases of coronary heart disease, and 1 case of cerebral infarction. The first symptoms were hematuria in 25 cases, lower abdominal pain in 4 cases, abdominal mass in 2 cases, umbilical discharge in 1 case, and asymptomatic in 4 cases.Preoperative CT examination showed that the tumor was located on the top wall of the bladder in 24 cases and the front wall of the bladder in 11 cases. There were 25 solid tumors and 10 cystic tumors. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 1.5 to 11.0 cm, and the median maximum diameter of the tumor was 4.0 cm. Preoperative cystoscopy detected masses on the anterior or top wall of the bladder and urachal carcinoma was suspected in 35 cases. All 35 cases underwent enlarged partial cystectomy (conventional resection of the umbilical part), and 3 cases underwent pelvic lymph node dissection at the same time. Among them, 19 cases underwent open surgery, 14 cases underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 2 cases underwent Da Vinci robot assisted laparoscopic surgery.Results:According to Mayo staging, there were 10 cases of stage Ⅰ, 18 cases of stage Ⅱ, 1 case of stage Ⅲ, and 6 cases of stage Ⅳ. The overall follow-up rate was 91.4% (32/35), and the median follow-up time was 41 (3-103) months. The 1-year survival rate was 82.5%, the 3-year survival rate was 59.3%, and the 5-year survival rate was 53.9%. Univariate analysis showed that age ( P=0.033), maximum tumor diameter ( P=0.011), lymph node metastasis ( P=0.002), distant metastasis ( P=0.011), pathological grade ( P=0.001), Mayo staging ( P=0.026) were ralated prognostic factors (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that the pathologically poor differentiation ( HR=1.640, 95% CI 1.112-2.418, P=0.013), and the largest tumor diameter ≥4cm were ( HR=5.000, 95% CI 1.099-22.755, P=0.037). Independent factors affecting patient prognosis. Conclusions:Urachal carcinoma is a malignant bladder tumor with insidient onset. Most of the first diagnosis symptoms are hematuria. When diagnosed, most patients are in the middle and late stages of clinical grading, and the prognosis is poor.Pathological grade and maximum tumor diameter are independent factors that affect the prognosis of patients with urachal carcinoma. The higher was the pathological grade, and the larger was the maximum tumor diameter, the worse was the prognosis.