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Abstract Aims This study compared the prevalences of metabolic syndrome and of cardiac or kidney comorbidities among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with metabolic dysfunction-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD), chronic infection with hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV), or the combination of MAFLD and chronic HBV infection. Methods Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy between March 2013 and March 2023. Patients with HCC of different etiologies were compared in terms of their clinicodemographic characteristics and laboratory data before surgery. Results Of the 2422 patients, 1,822 (75.2%) were chronically infected with HBV without MAFLD and HCV, 415 (17.2%) had concurrent MAFLD and chronic HBV infection but no HCV infection, 121 (5.0%) had MAFLD without hepatitis virus infection, and 64 (2.6%) were chronically infected with HCV in the presence or absence of MAFLD and HBV infection. Compared to patients chronically infected with HBV without MAFLD and HCV, those with MAFLD but no hepatitis virus infection showed significantly lower prevalence of cirrhosis, ascites, portal hypertension, alpha-fetoprotein concentration ≥ 400 ng/mL, tumor size > 5 cm, multinodular tumors and microvascular invasion. Conversely, they showed significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity, history of cardiovascular disease, T-wave alterations, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia, as well as higher risk of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Compared to patients with MAFLD but no hepatitis virus infection, those with concurrent MAFLD and chronic infection with HBV showed significantly higher prevalence of cirrhosis, ascites and portal hypertension, but significantly lower prevalence of hypertension and history of cardiovascular disease. Compared to patients with other etiologies, those chronically infected with HCV in the presence or absence of MAFLD and HBV infection, showed significantly higher prevalence of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, ascites, and esophagogastric varices. Conclusion Patients with HCC associated with MAFLD tend to have a background of less severe liver disease than those with HCC of other etiologies, but they may be more likely to suffer metabolic syndrome or comorbidities affecting the heart or kidneys.

Abstract This study was to probe the protective effects and mechanisms of salvianolic acid A (SAA) on cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI). The middle cerebral artery occlusion model (MCAO) was established in rats. Rats' behavior, neurological deficits, brain injury, inflammation, and apoptosis in the brain tissue were evaluated. The inflammatory response and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) were detected. SAA‐mediated changes in miR‐212‐3p, SOX7, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway were determined, and the targeting relationship between miR‐212‐3p and SOX7 was clarified. SAA alleviated the neurological deficits and brain injury of MCAO rats and inhibited the inflammatory response and apoptosis of OGD/R‐conditioned PC‐12 cells. SAA upregulated miR‐212‐3p, Wnt3a, and β‐catenin, whereas inhibited SOX7 levels. Silencing miR‐212‐3p counteracted the protective effect of SAA in the context of CIRI. SOX7 was a target protein of miR‐212‐3p. Silencing SOX7 based on SAA and miR‐212‐3p knockdown suppressed OGD/R‐induced inflammation and apoptosis and increased Wnt3a and β‐catenin levels in PC12 cells. SAA can improve the brain and nervous system injury caused by cerebral ischemia–reperfusion by upregulating miR‐212‐3p, thereby inhibiting SOX7 and activating the Wnt/βcatenin signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the changes of anterior chamber depth(ACD)and lens suspensory ligament after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation in patients with ultra-high myopia cataract and related influencing factors.METHODS: A total of 45 patients(60 eyes)with ultra-high myopia and cataract in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2022 were selected. All patients received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. The patients were randomly divided into implantation group and non-implantation group. Implantation group was combined with capsular tension ring(CTR)implantation, and non-implantation group did not implant CTR during operation. The changes of ACD and lens suspensory ligament length before and after operation were compared and the correlation was analyzed. To observe the differences of ACD and the length of lens suspensory ligament between the two groups before and after operation.RESULTS: The ACD of patients with ultra-high myopia complicated with cataract at 1 and 3mo after operation was higher than that before operation(all P0.05). The preoperative average length of lens suspensory ligament in patients with ultra-high myopia cataract was positively correlated with the ocular axis and the preoperative ACD(all P0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of lens suspensory ligament between implantation group and non-implantation group at the position of 6:00 before operation and 1mo after operation(P>0.05), but there was difference in lens suspensory ligament between groups at 3mo after operation and the position of 6:00(P0.05).CONCLUSION: The ACD deepen and lens suspensory ligament shortened in patients with ultra-high myopia and cataract after phacoemulsification; the length of lens suspensory ligament was affected by the combined use of CTR.

Abstract Introduction Injection drug use is the main transmission route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China. The prevalence of HCV remains high at 40–50% among people who inject drugs (PWID). We developed a mathematical model to predict the impacts of different HCV intervention strategies on the HCV burden in Chinese PWID by 2030. Methods We developed a dynamic deterministic mathematical model to simulate the transmission of HCV among PWID in China between 2016 and 2030, using domestic data based on the real cascade of HCV care. We considered various intervention scenarios, including treatment regimens, harm reduction program (HRP) coverage, enhanced testing and referral for treatment. Results HCV incidence will exhibit a gradual but slow declining trend from 12,970 in 2016 to 11,761 in 2030 based on current screening and treatment practices among PWID (scenario 1). Scaled-up HCV screening and treatment integrated with HRPs (scenario 8) demonstrated the most substantial reduction in HCV burden, being the only intervention scenario that could achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) HCV elimination target. Specifically, the HCV incidence in 2030 is projected to be reduced by 81.42%, and HCV-related deaths are projected to be reduced by 91.94%. Conclusion Our study indicates that achieving WHO elimination targets is an extremely challenging goal that requires substantial improvements in HCV testing and treatment among PWID (scenario S8). The findings suggest that coordinated improvements in testing, treatment, and harm reduction programs could greatly reduce the HCV burden among PWID in China, and urgent policy changes are needed to integrate HCV testing and treatment into existing HRPs.

Abstract Background Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a well-established therapeutic option for the management of variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. The simultaneous migration of the coil and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is an extremely rare but significant complication after TIPS. Because of its rare presentation, there are currently no definitive recommendations for the management of this condition. Case presentation A 46-year-old man with hepatitis B cirrhosis underwent TIPS placement for uncontrolled gastroesophageal varix (GEV) bleeding secondary to portal hypertension in August 2018. During the procedure, large GEVs were embolized using a coil and NBCA. After a year, coil and NBCA migration into the stomach was observed. Attempts to remove the coil using biopsy forceps during esophagogastroduodenoscopy failed. The patient refused further intervention on the coil to prevent further complications and received conservative therapy instead. Close surveillance with endoscopy is recommended for detecting coils and varices. Conclusions The present case reports an extremely rare but significant complication after TIPS, which highlights the management and follow-up recommendation for such rare complications. Our experience may provide guidance for the management of future similar cases and stimulate discussion about treatment methods of similar patients.

Background. Acute liver failure (ALF), previously known as fulminant hepatic failure, has become a common, rapidly progressive, and life-threatening catastrophic hepatic disease in intensive care unit (ICU) due to the continuous increase in drug abuse, viral infection, metabolic insult, and auto-immune cause. At present, plasma exchange (PE) is the main effective alternative treatment for ALF in ICU clinical practice, and high-volume plasma exchange (HVP) has been listed as a grade I recommendation for ALF management in the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) guidelines. However, no existing models can provide a satisfactory performance for clinical prediction on 90-day transplant-free mortality in adult patients with ALF undergoing PE. Our study aims to identify a novel and simple clinical predictor of 90-day transplant-free mortality in adult patients with ALF undergoing PE. Methods. This retrospective study contained adult patients with ALF undergoing PE from the Medical ICU (MICU) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January 2017 and December 2020. Baseline and clinical data were collected and calculated on admission to ICU before PE, including gender, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), etiology, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, prothrombin activity, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. Enrolled adult patients with ALF undergoing PE were divided into a survival group and a death group at discharge and 90 days on account of medical records and telephone follow-up. After each PE, decreased rates of total bilirubin and MELD score and increased rates of prothrombin activity were calculated according to the clinical parameters. In clinical practice, different patients underwent different times of PE, and thus, mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score and mean increase rate of prothrombin activity were obtained for further statistical analysis. Results. A total of 73 adult patients with ALF undergoing 204 PE were included in our retrospective study, and their transplant-free mortality at discharge and 90 days was 6.85% (5/73) and 31.51% (23/73), respectively. All deaths could be attributed to ALF-induced severe and life-threatening complications or even multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Most of the enrolled adult patients with ALF were men (76.71%, 56/73), with a median age of 48.77 years. Various hepatitis virus infections, unknown etiology, auto-immune liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, and acute pancreatitis (AP) accounted for 75.34%, 12.33%, 6.85%, 4.11%, and 1.37% of the etiologies in adult patients with ALF, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in age, mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score mean increase rate of prothrombin activity, decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score, and increase rate of prothrombin activity after the first PE between the death group and survival group. Multivariate analysis showed that age and mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score were closely associated with 90-day transplant-free mortality in adult patients with ALF undergoing PE. The 90-day transplant-free mortality was 1.081, 0.908, and 0.893 times of the original value with each one-unit increase in age and mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score, respectively. The areas under the receiver operatingcharacteristic (ROC) curve of age, mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score, and the three combined were 0.689, 0.225, 0.123, and 0.912, respectively. The cut-off values of age, mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score, and the three combined were 61.50, 3.12, 1.21, and 0.33, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of combined age with mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score for predicting 90-day transplant-free mortality in adult patients with ALF undergoing PE were 87% and 14%. Conclusion. Combined age with mean decrease rates of total bilirubin and MELD score as a novel and simple clinical predictor can accurately predict 90-day transplant-free mortality in adult patients with ALF undergoing PE, which is worthy of application and promotion in clinical practice, especially in the identification of potential transplant candidates.

AIM: To investigate whether long-chain non-coding RNA(lncRNA)KCNQ1OT1 affects the proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress of retinal epithelial cells induced by high glucose(HG)through miR-19a-3p/TSHZ3. METHODS: Cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)was used to detect the cell viability of human retinal epithelial cells ARPE-19 stimulated with 5, 15, 45, 135mmol/L HG. The ARPE-19 cells were divided into NC group, 45mmol/L HG group, si-NC+45mmol/L HG group, si-lncRNA KCNQ1OT1+45mmol/L HG group, miR-NC+45mmol/L HG group, miR-19a-3p mimics+45mmol/L HG group, si-con+45mmol/L HG group, si-TSHZ3+45mmol/L HG group, pcDNA+si-lncRNA KCNQ1OT1+45mmol/L HG group, pcDNA-TSHZ3+si-lncRNA KCNQ1OT1+45mmol/L HG group. CCK-8 was used to detect cell viability, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, miR-19a-3p and TSHZ3 mRNA, Western Blot was used to detect TSHZ3, activation-cysteine-containing aspartate proteolytic enzyme 3(Cleaved-caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)related X protein(Bax)protein expressions, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of oxidative stress indicators reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA). The dual luciferase activity was used to detect the targeted binding between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-19a-3p, miR-19a-3p and TSHZ3. RESULTS: 15, 45, 135mmol/L HG inhibited the survival rate of ARPE-19 cells, and the subsequent select the HG concentration 45mmol/L with a cell survival rate of about 50%. 45mmol/L HG increased the expression levels of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, TSHZ3 mRNA, TSHZ3 protein, the apoptosis rate, Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions, ROS and MDA levels in ARPE-19 cells, and reduced cell survival rate and the expression level of miR-19a-3p(P

BackgroundSystemic immune-inflammation states across the heterogeneous population of brain metastases from lung cancer are very important, especially in the context of complex brain-immune bidirectional communication. Previous studies from our team and others have shown that the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is deeply involved in the aggressive phenotype, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and metastasis during multiple malignancies, which may lead to an unfavorable outcome. However, little is known about the relationship between the L1CAM expression and the systemic immune-inflammation macroenvironment beyond the TME in brain metastases from lung cancer.MethodsTwo cohorts of patients with brain metastases from lung cancer admitted to the National Cancer Center, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, were studied in the present research. The L1CAM expression in cranial metastatic lesions by immunohistochemistry was explored in patients treated with neurosurgical resection, whereas the L1CAM expression in peripheral blood by ELISA was tested in patients treated with non-surgical antitumor management. Furthermore, based on peripheral blood cell counts in the CBC test, six systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers [neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio] were calculated. Then, the relationship between the L1CAM expression and these systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers was analyzed. In addition, these systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers were also used to compare the systemic immune-inflammation states in two cohorts of patients with brain metastases from lung cancer.ResultsPositive L1CAM expressions in the metastatic brain lesions were accompanied with significantly increased peripheral platelet counts in patients treated with neurosurgical tumor resection (P < 0.05). Similarly, in patients treated with non-surgical antitumor management, L1CAM expressions in the peripheral blood were positively correlated with peripheral platelet counts (P < 0.05). In addition, patients prepared for neurosurgical tumor resection were presented with poorer systemic immune-inflammation states in comparison with the one with non-surgical antitumor management, which was characterized by a significant increase in peripheral neutrophil counts (P < 0.01), SII (P < 0.05), and NLR (P < 0.05) levels.ConclusionThe L1CAM expression in either the metastatic brain lesion or peripheral blood is positively correlated with the peripheral platelet count in patients with brain metastases from lung cancer. In addition, brain metastases that are prepared for neurosurgical tumor resection show poor systemic immune-inflammation states.

Abstract Objectives Immune perturbation induced by tumor burden has been showed as the hallmark of brain tumors. To date, the vast majority of studies have focused heavily on local immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Little is known about how the systemic immune macroenvironment is modulated by neurosurgical tumor resection in patients with brain tumors. Method Medical records from patients with brain tumors admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Cancer Center, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2021 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Forty‐nine patients who have lymphocyte subsets, serum immunoglobulins, C‐reactive protein, and complements levels before neurosurgical tumor resection and at least once test after surgery were included into the final analysis. Results Postoperative CD3+ lymphocytes, CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4+ /CD8+ lymphocyte ratio presented bi‐phasic changes, which indicated an initial decrease and a subsequent increase after neurosurgical tumor resection. Moreover, neurosurgical tumor resection induced a decrease in natural killer lymphocytes and an increase in B lymphocytes that persisted through the entire observation period after surgery. Meanwhile, significant changes in humoral immunity characterized by a decrease in immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) levels and an increase in the CRP level occurred after neurosurgical tumor resection. In addition, patients with postoperative infection complication had a lower preoperative CD4+ /CD8+ lymphocyte ratio. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that either cellular immunity or humoral immunity can be remodeled by neurosurgical tumor resection, and patients with disturbed systemic immunity have increased risk of infection after surgery.

AIM: To explore the effects of internal limiting membrane transplantation, inverted internal limiting membrane flap and autologous blood filling in treatment of idiopathic macular hole(IMH)and the influence on macular structure and choroidal thickness.METHODS: Clinical data of patients with IMH who were treated in the hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with standard vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane stripping and gas-liquid exchange. On this basis, patients treated with internal limiting membrane transplantation(28 cases, 29 eyes), inverted internal limiting membrane flap(26 cases, 28 eyes)and autologous blood filling(25 cases, 25 eyes)were included in the internal limiting membrane transplantation group, inverted internal limiting membrane flap group and autologous blood filling group, respectively. The situation of hole closure and shape of the closed hole were observed. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), hole photoreceptors inner segment/outer segment ellipsoid zone(EZ)and external limiting membrane(ELM)defect diameter, perimeter of foveal avascular zone(PERIM), superficial capillary plexus(SCP)blood flow density, subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT), temporal choroidal thickness(TCT)and nasal choroidal thickness(NCT)were determined. RESULTS: All patients in the 3 groups successfully completed the surgery. The BCVA of internal limiting membrane transplantation group and inverted internal limiting membrane flap group was better than that of autologous blood filling group at 3mo after surgery(P0.05). However, there were significant differences in morphological classification of the closed macular hole(P0.05). CONCLUSION:Internal limiting membrane transplantation, inverted internal limiting membrane flap and autologous blood filling can restore the closure of the macular hole. However, internal limiting membrane transplantation and inverted internal limiting membrane flap can better restore the macular structure and improve visual acuity, compared with autologous blood filling.

To investigate the right heart function in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a retrospective analysis of 49 COVID-19 patients with ARDS was performed. Patients were divided into severe group and critically-severe group according to the severity of illness. Age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited as a control group. The cardiac cavity diameters, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid valve regurgitation pressure gradient biggest (TRPG), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), maximum inferior vena cava diameter (IVCmax) and minimum diameter (IVCmin), and inferior vena cava collapse index (ICV-CI) were measured using echocardiography. We found that the TAPSE was significantly decreased in pneumonia patients compared to healthy subjects (P

AIM: To analyze influencing factors of the curative effect of phacoemulsification(PHACO)combined with intraocular lens implantation in the treatment of high myopia with cataract.METHODS: The clinical data of 80 cases patients(91 affected eyes)with cataract and high myopia who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in the hospital from February 2016 to March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)at 3mo after operation, the patients were divided into low vision group(BCVARESULTS: All patients completed surgery successfully, and there were statistically significant differences in BCVA before and after surgery(PP30 mm, preoperative intraocular pressure ≥21mmHg, corneal astigmatism ≥1.30D, grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ lens nucleus, preoperative diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration were the independent risk factors for postoperative visual recovery in patients with high myopia and cataract(PCONCLUSION: PHACO combined with intraocular lens implantation is markedly effective in the treatment of high myopia with cataract. However, the curative effect is affected by axial length, preoperative intraocular pressure, corneal astigmatism, grade of lens nucleus, preoperative diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, which deserves attention.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first diagnosed in Wuhan in December 2019. The World Health Organization defined the subsequent outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide as a public health emergency of international concern. Epidemiological data indicate that at least 20% of COVID-19 patients have severe disease. In addition to impairment of the respiratory system, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication. Immune damage mediated by cytokine storms and concomitant AKI is a key factor for poor prognosis. Based on previous experience of blood purification for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome combined with clinical front-line practice, we developed a blood purification protocol for patients with severe COVID-19. This protocol is divided into four major steps. The first step is to assess whether patients with severe COVID-19 require blood purification. The second step is to prescribe a blood purification treatment for patients with COVID-19. The third step is to monitor and adjust parameters of blood purification. The fourth step is to evaluate the timing of discontinuation of blood purification. It is expected that blood purification will play a key role in effectively reducing the mortality of patients with severe COVID-19 through the standardized implementation of the present protocol.

Aim: The purpose of our study was to conduct a retrospective analysis to compare the effectiveness of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis with or without portal vein thrombosis (PVT).Methods: We included a total of 203 cirrhosis patients successfully treated with TIPS between January 2015 and January 2018, including 72 cirrhosis patients with PVT (35.5%) and 131 without PVT (64.5%). Our subjects were followed for at least 1 year after treatment with TIPS. Data were collected to estimate the mortality, shunt dysfunction, and complication rates after TIPS creation.Results: During the mean follow-up time of 19.5 ± 12.8 months, 21 (10.3%) patients died, 15 (7.4%) developed shunt dysfunction, and 44 (21.6%) experienced overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). No significant differences in mortality (P = 0.134), shunt dysfunction (P = 0.214), or OHE (P = 0.632) were noted between the groups. Age, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and refractory ascites requiring TIPS were risk factors for mortality. A history of diabetes, percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization (PTVE), 8-mm diameter stent, and platelet (PLT) increased the risk of shunt dysfunction. The prevalence of variceal bleeding and recurrent ascites was comparable between the two groups (16.7 vs. 16.7% P = 0.998 and 2.7 vs. 3.8% P = 0.678, respectively).Conclusions: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are feasible in the management of cirrhosis with PVT. No significant differences in survival or shunt dysfunction were noted between the PVT and no-PVT groups. The risk of recurrent variceal bleeding, recurrent ascites, and OHE in the PVT group was generally similar to that in the no-PVT group. TIPS represents a potentially feasible treatment option in cirrhosis patients with PVT.

Obesity has become a global epidemic disease as it is closely associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that results in metabolic dysfunction. Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) alkaloids (SZ-A) derived from Morus alba L. were licensed to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in 2020. In this study, we explored the effect of SZ-A on adipose tissue metabolism and inflammation using an obesity model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). C57BL/6J mice were fed high fat for 14 weeks and followed by SZ-A 400 mg/kg treatment via gavage for another six weeks, during which they were still given the high-fat diet. The results showed that SZ-A notably reduced body weight and serum levels of lipid metabolism-related factors, such as triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC); and inflammation-related factors, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6), fibrinogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and leptin (LEP), in the HFD-induced mice. SZ-A increased the protein and mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related factors, including phosphorylated acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (p-ACC), phosphorylated hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (p-HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), in adipose tissue. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that SZ-A significantly reduced the infiltration of pro-inflammatory M1-type macrophages in epididymal fat. The data also suggested that SZ-A down-regulates the transcriptional levels of inflammatory factors Il6, Tnfα, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Mcp1), and F4/80, and up-regulates interleukin 4 (Il4), interleukin 10 (Il10), and interleukin 13 (Il13) in adipose tissue. Overall, the results indicate that SZ-A exhibits potential in regulating lipid metabolism and ameliorating obesity-linked adipose inflammation.

AIM: To analyze the pathogens distribution and drug resistance of preschool children with infectious eye diseases in Nanyang Area. METHODS: Totally 480 cases of preschool children(480 eyes)who were diagnosed as suspected infectious eye diseases were retrospectively analyzed. The pathogens distribution and resistance were analyzed. RESULTS: All 144 positive cultures were cultured among 480 samples, including 122 positive bacterial cultures. Among the 122 bacterial samples, Gram-positive cocci accounted for 45.9%(56/122)with the highest proportion of Staphylococcus epidermidis of 46.4%(26/56). Gram-positive bacilli accounted for 18.9%(23/122)with the highest proportion of Corynebacterium of 82.6%(19/23). Drug susceptibility results showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis had different degrees of resistance to most antibiotics, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was completely resistant to ampicillin and piperacillin.CONCLUSION: Gram-positive cocci are the main pathogens of preschool children with infectious eye diseases in Nanyang Area, and the resistance rate is high. It is necessary to given rational use of drugs based on drug susceptibility results.

Abstract. Background. Blood purification (BP) is one of the most important rescue measures for patients with critical illness in the intensive care unit (ICU), especially for those with acute kidney injury. The purpose of this nationwide survey was to reveal the real world of current BP practice in different ICUs all over China. This study was designed to be a multi-center cross-sectional study. Methods. All adult patients (over 18 years of age), who were admitted to ICU and required BP in 35 sub-centers across China were included during 30-day survey period in 2018. Demographic characteristics and clinical data were recorded including the timing of treatment initiation, indications, modality, relative contraindication, establishment of vascular access, selection of filter/membrane, settings, anti-coagulation, executive department, complication, intake, and output. Discussion. This nationwide survey may contribute to reveal the real world of current BP practice in different ICUs all over China. Trial registration. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-EOC-17013119; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=22487.

IntroductionThe care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is challenging. This study is to evaluate the effect of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A HCC patients after hepatectomy.MethodsConsecutive HCC patients with BCLC stage A, treated by hepatectomy alone (HA) or hepatectomy with TACE (HT), were retrospectively enrolled. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline differences. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier. The impact of TACE on survival outcome was determined by Cox hazard regression.ResultsAfter PSM, 230 patients (115 HT and 115 HA) were enrolled in the analysis. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 87.0, 63.5, and 50.4%, respectively, for the HT group, and 87.8, 67.0, and 58.3% for the HA group. The OS rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 99.1, 93.9, and 87%, respectively, for the HT group, and 100, 92.2, and 88.7% for the HA group. No significant differences were seen in either the RFS (log-rank test, χ2 = 0.891, p = 0.345) or OS (log-rank test, χ2 = 0.146, p = 0.702) between the specific pairs of two groups. Cox regression identified that TACE was not the factor affecting RFS or OS (p = 0.399; HR 0.847; 95% CI 0.576–1.245 for RFS vs. p = 0.989; HR 0.995; 95% CI 0.471–2.100 for OS).ConclusionOur data indicate that TACE is not an effective intervention in the adjuvant setting for BCLC stage A HCC after hepatectomy.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of drug eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) treatment by CalliSpheres® in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as the predicting factors for response. Methods 99 patients with HCC were consecutively enrolled in this study. All participants were treated by CalliSpheres® DEB-TACE. Clinical response was evaluated according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was used to assess the adverse events and liver dysfunction during and after the operation. Results Post treatment, 16 patients (16.2%) achieved CR and 59 (59.6%) achieved PR, the ORR was 75.8%. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with higher BCLC stage were of worse CR and ORR rates, and the CR as well as ORR between patients with cTACE history and patients without cTACE history were similar. Univariate logistic regression analysis displayed that number of nodules > 3, higher BCLC stage and previous cTACE might be correlated with worse ORR but with no statistical significance. As to liver function, CTCAE grades of laboratory indexes for liver function were increased at 1 week compared to baseline and recovered to the baseline grades at 1–3 months post operation. Besides, most of the common adverse events were light and moderate in our study. Conclusions In conclusion, DEB-TACE by CalliSpheres® was efficient and well tolerated in Chinese HCC patients, and BCLC stage, number of nodules and cTACE history were possibly correlated with treatment response.

Objective Two experiments were conducted to determine the content of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) as well as the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in barley grains obtained from Australia, France or Canada. Methods In Exp. 1, 18 growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 31.5±3.2 kg) were individually placed in stainless-steel metabolism crates (1.4×0.7×0.6 m) and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 test diets. In Exp. 2, eight crossbred pigs (30.9±1.8 kg) were allotted to a replicate 3×4 Youden Square designed experiment with three periods and four diets. Two pigs received each diet during each test period. The diets included one nitrogen-free diet and three test diets. Results The relative amounts of gross energy (GE), CP, and all AA in the Canadian barley were higher than those in Australian and French barley while higher concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber and β-glucan as well as lower concentrations of GE and ether extract were observed in the French barley compared with the other two barley sources. The DE and ME as well as the SID of histidine, isoleucine, leucine and phenylalanine in Canadian barley were higher (p

Objective The hull attached to the barley kernel can be mechanically removed thus reducing the fiber content of the barley. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of partial dehulling on the nutrient digestibility as well as the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of barley in pigs. Methods Two hulled barley samples (high fiber barley [HF] and low fiber barley [LF]) with either high or low fiber contents were obtained from the Hubei and Jiangsu Provinces of China. A portion of the two barleys was mechanically dehulled (dehulled high fiber barley [DHF] and dehulled low fiber barley [DLF]). Thirty barrows (initial BW = 31.5±3.2 kg) were assigned to one of five diets in a randomized complete block design. The five diets consisted of 96.9% corn, HF, LF, DHF, or DLF supplemented with 3.1% minerals and vitamins. Each diet was fed to six barrows housed in individual metabolism crates for a 10-d acclimation period followed by a 5-day total but separate collection of feces and urine. Results The daily loss of gross energy (GE) in feces was lower (p

Abstract Background The Hippo signaling pathway is reported to be involved in angiogenesis, but the roles of the Hippo pathway in diabetic retinopathy have not been addressed. Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule has been used to treat diabetic retinopathy in China; however, the effect of Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule on the Hippo pathway has not been investigated. Methods In this study, diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Twenty weeks later, Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule was administered for 12 weeks. When the administration ended, the eyes were isolated for western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. The levels of P- mammalian sterile 20-like (MST), large tumor suppressor homolog (Lats), P- yes-associated protein (YAP), transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) and TEA domain family members (TEAD) were measured. Results Diabetic rats had a decreased P-MST level in the inner plexiform layer and reduced expression of P-YAP in the photoreceptor layers of their eyes. In addition, diabetic rats displayed remarkable increases in Lats, TAZ and TEAD in their retinas. Furthermore, Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule restored the changes in the Hippo pathway. Conclusions The Hippo signaling pathway is important for the progression of diabetic retinopathy and will hopefully be a targeted therapeutic approach for the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.

The fall armyworm (FAA) Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) has caused considerable losses in grain production and is primarily controlled by chemical insecticides. However, frequent use of insecticides leads to the development of resistance. Cytochrome P450 in insects plays a crucial role in the detoxification of insecticides. CYP9F1 expression has been found to be induced significantly by chlorantraniliprole. However, the regulatory mechanism of CYP9F1 expression has yet to be elucidated. In this study, a target of isolated miR-23a was located in the 3' UTR of CYP9F1 in the FAA. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-23a could bind to the 3' UTR of CYP9F1 and suppress its expression via a site in the FAA. Injected miR-23a agomir significantly reduced CYP9F1 abundance, also improving chlorantraniliprole susceptibility, while injected miR-23a antagomir significantly improved CYP9F1 abundance and thus reduced chlorantraniliprole susceptibility in FAA larvae. These results provide a basis for research on the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism(s) of CYP9F1 and will help further study the function of miRNAs in regulating susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole in the FAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM:To investigate the effect and safety of modified small incision cataract surgery in patients with soft core cataract. METHODS: Totally 80 cases(109 eyes)of soft cataract patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2015 to May 2016 in ophthalmology center of our hospital, using random number table method were divided into improved group(improved manipulation of small incision cataract surgery), traditional group(traditional approach to small incision cataract surgery), 40 cases in each group. Comparison of the two groups of treatment, the incidence of complications were taken. RESULTS: There were no significant differences on uncorrected visual acuity between the two groups before and at 1d, 1wk and 1mo after operations(P>0.05). The uncorrected visual acuity of the two groups improved significantly at 1d, 1wk and 1mo after operations compared with those before operations(PP>0.05). The IOP of the two groups increased significantly at 1d, 1wk and 1mo after operations compared with those before operations(PPCONCLUSION: Improved small incision cataract surgery for soft cataract patients was with reliable results, less complications.

According to the detailed analysis of drilling data, together with the interpretation of seismic section, the Mesozoic of Suibin Depression is divided into four second-order sequences and eight third-order sequences. The third-order sequences at the bottom of second-order sequences develop low-stand systems tracts (LSTs), and the other sequences do not. The analysis result of the balanced section and Milankovitch cycle indicates that the Mesozoic sequences above third-order in the Suibin Depression are mainly controlled by structure, and that the Milankovitch cycle only controls high frequency sequences (systems tracts). Based on the above analyses, the second-order sequence stratigraphy model of the Mesozoic of Suibin Depression is established. The model is of typical tripartition, the early basin fill (LST), the middle basin expansion (TST) and the late basin abortion (HST). The transgressive systems tracts (TSTs) overlying the LSTs in the second-order sequences may be good seal and source rock, so the LSTs have the potential for oil and gas. Key words: Sanjiang Basin, Suibin Depression, sequence stratigraphy, Milankovitch cycle