[Clinical features of intracranial vessel involvement in Takayasu's arteritis]

Objective: To analyze clinical characteristics of intracranial vessel involvement in Takayasu's arteritis (TA). Methods: Retrospectively analyzed 135 hospitalized TA patients' clinical data in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2012 to November 2018. Based on intracranial artery (IA) complicated or not, TA patients were divided into two groups:32 patients within involvement and 103 patients without involvement. The difference in comparison of imaging types, basic data and laboratory test were analyzed. Results: The proportion of TA patients with intracranial vascular involvement was 23.7% (32/135) and the most common site was internal carotid artery (intracranial segment) (59.4%, 19/32). The incidences of hypertension and coronary heart disease were significantly higher in TA patients with intracranial vascular involvement compared with the patients without intracranial involvement (46.9% vs 26.2%, 21.9% vs 6.8%, χ(2)=4.863, 4.460, all P<0.05). The rate of tocilizumab treatment in the intracranial vascular involved group was higher than that in the group without intracranial vascular involvement (40.6% vs 19.4%, χ(2)=5.945, P<0.05). The platelet count in patients with intracranial involvement group was significantly lower than that in patients without intracranial involvement group [(218±55)×10(9)/L vs (272±71)×10(9)/L, t=-3.570, P<0.01], while the hemoglobin [(130±17) vs (121±18) g/L, t=2.363, P<0.05] and triglyceride [1.22(0.75, 1.64) vs 0.92(0.63, 1.21) mmol/L, U=1 017.000, P<0.01] were significantly higher than those without intracranial vascular involvement. Moreover, coronary artery involvement presented more frequently in the intracranial vascular involved group than the group without intracranial vascular involvement (43.8% vs 14.6%, χ(2)=12.331, P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the incidence of intracranial vascular disease in TA patients with coronary artery involvement was 4 times higher than that in patients without coronary artery lesions (OR=3.965, 95%CI:1.584-9.926, P=0.003). Conclusion: The proportion of intracranial vascular involvement in TA is not rare, TA patients with cardiovascular risk factors should be considered to strengthen imaging examination of intracranial vessels.

[Comparative study on three implantation approaches of the totally implantable venous access ports using dual-guided technique]

Objective: To compare the clinical application effect of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) via the internal jugular vein,the subclavian vein and the brachiocephalic veins under the guidance of ultrasound combined with DSA. Methods: The clinical materials of 346 patients (162 males and 184 females) who implanted TIVAP in intervention Department of Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between August 2018 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and the average age was (57±12) years (17 to 83 years). The patients were divided into three groups according to the different implantation approaches. One hundred and twenty-six patients (67 males and 59 females) were group A who implanted from the internal jugular vein and the average age was (52±11) years,114 patients (52 males and 62 females) were group B who implanted from the subclavian vein and the average age was (58±10) years,106 patients (43 males and 63 females) were group C who implanted from the brachiocephalic vein and the average age was (60±9) years.The first-puncture success rate,operating time,implanting length,intraoperative pain score, one month comfort rating after surgery, unscheduled decannulation rates, early and late complication rates were compared among three groups. Results: All the patients implanted the TIVAP successfully.There were no significant differences about the first-puncture success rate (χ(2)=1.375,P=0.503),operating time (F=0.968, P=0.624), unscheduled decannulation rates (χ(2)=1.570, P=0.456), and the total pipe length among the three groups (F=0.821, P=0.441),while the catheter length inside the blood vessel were the shortest in group C (F= 263.618, P=0.000), and the one month comfort rating after surgery of group C were higher compared with group A and B (F=52.248,P=0.000).Pitch-off syndrome was a unique complication of group B (χ(2)=6.159,P=0.046) and other complications were no significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion: There are high accuracy and safety among three implantation approaches,and the approach via brachiocephalic vein under the guidance of ultrasound combined with DSA is more comfortable and lower complication rates, which could be priority to choose.

Drug-abusing offenders with co-morbid mental disorders:gender differences in problem severity, treatment participation, and recidivism

Introduction

Individuals with co-occurring disorders have higher levels of psychological distress and poorer psychosocial functioning, as compared with individuals with substance dependence only. Studies identified substance abuse as a risk factor, which increases the likelihood that an individual with mental disorders may become violent.

Objectives

To examine the gender differences in drug-related problems and predictors of recidivism among a sample of 1,444 offenders with co-morbid drug abuse and mental disorders participating in California's Proposition 36.

Methods

Characteristics and problem severity in multiple key life areas were assessed at intake using Addiction Severity Index, and drug treatment participation, mental health diagnoses and arrests were based on official records.

Results

Women demonstrated greater problem severity than men in family relationships, health, psychological health, and sexual and physical abuse history. Men on the other hand had greater criminal history, high rates of attention disorder, and psychotic disorder. Logistic regression analyses showing that for the combined sample, male, young age, cocaine use (relative to methamphetamine), drug abuse severity, methadone treatment, arrest history and fewer prior treatment history were associated with higher recidivism at 12-month follow-up; lower education, cocaine use, and arrest history were related to women's recidivism, while young age, outpatient treatment, and arrest history were predictors of men's recidivism.

Conclusions

Although the specific type of mental disorder did not seem to be predictive of recidivism, the high rates of mental health disorder and arrest of this population is problematic. Intervention strategies taking into consideration gender-specific problems and needs can improve outcomes for both.

[Comparative analysis of comprehensive health status among 31 provinces in China and 134 countries (regions) in 2015]

Objective: To evaluate comprehensive health status of 31 provinces in China and compare with other countries (regions). Methods: Social-demographic index, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in 134 countries (regions) and 31 provinces in China were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. K-means clustering method was used to classify comprehensive health status of various countries (regions) in the world. HemI 1.0.3 software was applied to draw distribution heat maps of social-demographic index, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in different provinces of Mainland China. Discriminant analysis was used to evaluate comprehensive health status of different provinces in Mainland China. Results: Comprehensive health status of 134 countries (regions) was grouped into category 1-8 from good to poor, and Mainland China was in the category 4. The comprehensive health status of provinces in Mainland China is better in the east coast and poorer in the west inland, among which Shanghai and Beijing were grouped into the category 1, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Guangdong and Tianjin into the category 2, Fujian, Liaoning and Shandong into the category 3, Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang and Guizhou into the category 5, Qinghai and Tibet into the category 6, and the rest 16 provinces into the category 4. Conclusion: Comprehensive health status of Mainland China ranked middle to upper level in the world, and health status disparities were observed among different provinces in Mainland China.

A global epidemic increase of an HPV-induced tonsil and tongue base cancer - potential benefit from a pan-gender use of HPV vaccine

In 2007, human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 was finally recognized as a risk factor, besides smoking and alcohol, for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), including tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), by the International Agency for Research against Cancer. Just before, in 2006, the Food and Drug Administration had approved Gardasil, the first vaccine against HPV16, 18, 6 and 11, for preventive vaccination women against cervical cancer. Concurrently, some Western countries, where smoking was decreasing, disclosed an epidemic increase in the incidence of OPSCC, especially of TSCC and base of tongue cancer (BOTSCC), together accounting for 80-90% of all OPSCCs, and mainly affecting men. The epidemic was later revealed to be due to a rise in HPV-positive cases, and scientists in the field suggested HPV vaccination also of boys. Globally, there are roughly 96 000 incident OPSCC cases/year of which 20-24% are caused by HPV, thereby accounting for around 22 000 OPSCC cases annually. Of these cases, 80-90% are due to HPV16 infection and would be prevented with the presently registered HPV vaccines. In Western countries, such as Sweden (with almost 400 TSCC and BOTSCC cases per year) and the United States, HPV prevalence in OPSCC is higher and around 70%. HPV vaccination of girls has been initiated in many countries, and the vaccines have been efficient and their side effects limited. HPV vaccination of boys has, however, been the exception, but should definitely not be delayed any further. It would benefit both girls and boys directly, and result in better and more robust herd immunity. Today, we have the possibility to eliminate several high-risk HPV types in the younger generations and avoid more than 600 000 cancer cases annually worldwide, and this possibility should be embraced by offering global pan-gender HPV vaccination.

Functional cell phenotype induction with TGF-β1 and collagen-polyurethane scaffold for annulus fibrosus rupture repair

Appropriate cell sources, bioactive factors and biomaterials for generation of functional and integrated annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue analogues are still an unmet need. In the present study, the AF cell markers, collagen type I, cluster of differentiation 146 (CD146), mohawk (MKX) and smooth muscle protein 22α (SM22α) were found to be suitable indicators of functional AF cell induction. In vitro 2D culture of human AF cells showed that transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) upregulated the expression of the functional AF markers and increased cell contractility, indicating that TGF-β1-pre-treated AF cells were an appropriate cell source for AF tissue regeneration. Furthermore, a tissue engineered construct, composed of polyurethane (PU) scaffold with a TGF-β1-supplemented collagen type I hydrogel and human AF cells, was evaluated with in vitro 3D culture and ex vivo preclinical bioreactor-loaded organ culture models. The collagen type I hydrogel helped maintaining the AF functional phenotype. TGF-β1 supplement within the collagen I hydrogel further promoted cell proliferation and matrix production of AF cells within in vitro 3D culture. In the ex vivo IVD organ culture model with physiologically relevant mechanical loading, TGF-β1 supplement in the transplanted constructs induced the functional AF cell phenotype and enhanced collagen matrix synthesis. In conclusion, TGF-β1-containing collagen-PU constructs can induce the functional cell phenotype of human AF cells in vitro and in situ. This combined cellular, biomaterial and bioactive agent therapy has a great potential for AF tissue regeneration and rupture repair.

Hollow core/shell β-Bi2O3@WS2 p–n heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic degradation of fluoroquinolones: a theoretical and experimental study

An efficient visible-light-driven β-Bi₂O₃@WS₂ p–n core–shell heterostructure was rationally designed using theoretical calculations and then fabricated via a facile self-assembly method.

Association between iodine intake and thyroid autoantibodies: a cross-sectional study of 7073 early pregnant women in an iodine-adequate region

PURPOSE

The association between iodine intake and thyroid autoimmunity has been debated, especially in pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate thyroid autoantibodies and their association with iodine intake and hypothyroidism in early pregnancy.

METHODS

7073 early pregnant women from an iodine-sufficient region participated in this study. Urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) were measured using an ammonium persulfate method. Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and Tg were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

RESULTS

Iodine deficiency (UIC < 100 μg/L) was associated with higher risks of TPOAb positivity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] (1.29-2.08)] and TgAb positivity [aOR = 1.44, 95% CI (1.16-1.80)]. Women with isolated TPOAb positivity, isolated TgAb positivity, or both TPOAb and TgAb positivity had a 14.64-fold, 7.83-fold, and 44.69-fold increased risk of overt hypothyroidism, and a 4.36-fold, 2.86-fold, and 6.26-fold increased risk of subclinical hypothyroidism, respectively. Moreover, the risks of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in women with a high TPOAb titer were 16.99 and 4.80 times that in TPOAb-negative women, respectively. The risk of overt hypothyroidism in women with a high TgAb titer was 6.97 times that in TgAb-negative women.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work demonstrates that iodine deficiency during early pregnancy is an independent risk factor for both TPOAb positivity and TgAb positivity. Furthermore, positivity for both autoantibodies and a high thyroid autoantibody titer are associated with significantly higher risks of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism.

[Clinical prognosis analysis of patients with "double hit" multiple myeloma]

目的

分析并探讨“双打击”多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者的临床特征及预后。

方法

研究对象为2010–2016年第二军医大学长征医院诊断的89例MM患者，通过FISH检测染色体变化，基因测序检测TP53基因突变情况，根据最新Walker BA学者提出的“双打击”骨髓瘤定义，分析“双打击”MM患者的临床特征及预后。

结果

“双打击”MM患者15例（16.85%），中位无进展生存（PFS）时间（8.4个月）和中位总生存（OS）时间（22.2个月）较非“双打击”MM患者的中位PFS时间（14.2个月）和中位OS时间（39.2个月）显著降低（P均<0.05）。多因素预后风险分析显示，“双打击”是影响患者PFS（HR=2.171，95%CI 1.206~3.907，P=0.010）和OS（HR=4.106，95%CI 2.116~7.969，P<0.001）的独立预后不良因素，且“双打击”患者的中位PFS时间（8.4个月）和中位OS时间（22.2个月）分别较R-ISS Ⅲ期患者的中位PFS时间（11.8个月）和中位OS时间（24.3个月）显著缩短（P均<0.05）。

结论

“双打击”MM患者预后极差，亟待前瞻性临床研究改善此类患者预后。

PDTC Alleviates Depressive Symptoms and Colon Tissue Injury via Inhibiting NO Overproduction in CUMS Rats

Background

The accumulated evidence demonstrates that stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression that is associated with intestinal dysfunctions. However, the mechanisms remain unresolved.

Methods

A total of 40 male Wistar rats were obtained and randomly divided into four equal-sized group: control, PDTC + chronic and unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), FLX + CUMS, and CUMS. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to examine the levels of nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and iNOS mRNA in spinal cord L1-2 and colon.

Key Results

Chronic and unpredictable mild stress increased the serum CORT level, decreased body weight and sucrose preference, and altered OFT performance, while increased levels of NO, iNOS mRNA, iNOS and NF-κB protein in colon and spinal cord were accompanied by histopathological changes in colon. Pretreatment with an NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), reversed these effects. Fluoxetine failed to prevent NO increase in both spinal cord and colon, while the iNOS protein level, although not statistically significantly increased compared to control, was not decreased compared to CUMS. Also, fluoxetine failed to prevent histological changes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NF-κB/iNOS pathway may be involved in the mechanism of CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and colon tissue injury.

The roles of NF-kB in the development of lung injury after one-lung ventilation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the roles of NF-kB in the development of lung injury after one-lung ventilation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control group, one-lung ventilation (OL) group and NF-kB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group, with 6 rats in each group. Rats in OL and PDTC groups were used to establish one-lung ventilation model, and rats in PDTC group were subjected to intravenous injection of NF-kB specific inhibitor PDTC at 30 min before model construction. One-lung ventilation was performed for 3 h, and arterial blood gas analyzer was used for blood gas analysis. The hemodynamics and respiratory mechanics parameters were detected. The respiratory index (RI) and oxygenation index (OI) were calculated. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in lung tissue were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of p65, p-p65, p-IκBα and IκBα and the activity of NF-Kβ in lung tissue were detected by Western Blot.

RESULTS

Compared with OL group, HR, RI and W/D were significantly reduced and MAP and OI were significantly increased in PDTC group (p<0.05). Compared with OL group, alveolar fluid exudation, pulmonary interstitial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly improved in PDTC group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in PDTC group were significantly lower than in OL group (p<0.05). The ratios of p-p65/p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα and the activity of NF-kB in OL group were significantly reduced than in PDTC group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

NF-kB can promote lung injury after one-lung ventilation, and the inhibition of NF-kB may be a new way for the treatment of this disease.

The protective effect of lidocaine on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats through NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathway and excessive inflammatory responses

OBJECTIVE

Acute lung injury is a severe disease with a high rate of mortality, leading to more important illness. We aimed at exploring the protective role and potential mechanisms of lidocaine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to control group receiving 0.9% saline solution, LPS group treated with 4 mg/kg LPS i.p., LPS + lidocaine(treated with 4 mg/kg LPS i.p. followed by giving 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg of lidocaine i.v.). Lung specimens and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for histopathological examination and biochemical analyze 12 h after LPS induction. The cytokines expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 was measured by ELISA. In addition, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in lung tissues were also detected using ELISA. The protein expressions of p38, p-p38, p65, p-p65 and IκB were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTS

The results indicated that after lidocaine treatment was able to decrease significantly wet-to-dry (W/D) ratio and ameliorate the histopathologic damage. Additionally, total protein content and the number of leukocytes in BALF significantly decreased. ELISA result indicated that the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 in BALF were markedly suppressed. Meanwhile, the activities of T-AOC and SOD in lung tissues significantly increased, while the content of MDA significantly decreased after treatment with lidocaine. Moreover, Western blot suggested that lidocaine inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, lidocaine could ameliorate the LPS-induced lung injury via NF-κB/p38 MAPK signaling and excessive inflammatory responses, providing a potential for becoming the anti-inflammatory agent against lung injury.

Novel SLCO2A1compound heterozygous mutation causing primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with Bartter-like hypokalemia in a Chinese family

PURPOSE

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is an inherited disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis and pachydermia with defects in the degradation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Mutations in SLCO2A1 gene-encoding prostaglandin transporter (PGT) resulted in PHO, autosomal recessive 2 (PHOAR2). The spectrum of mutations and variable clinical complications of PHOAR2 has been delineated. In this study, we investigated a Chinese PHO family with a manifestation of Bartter-like hypokalemia.

METHODS

Clinical manifestations were collected and genetic analyses were performed in the PHO family.

RESULTS

The 33-year-old male proband had severe hypokalemia due to potassium loss from the kidney, while his brother had mild hypokalemia. After being treated with etoricoxib, the serum potassium level of the patient increased rapidly to the normal range which corresponded with the reduction in his serum PGE2 and PE2 metabolite (PGEM) levels. A novel SLCO2A1 compound heterozygous mutation of p.I284V and p.C459R was identified in two PHO patients in this family.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings supported that the Bartter-like hypokalemia is a new complication of PHOAR2 caused by the high level of PGE2. Etoricoxib was demonstrated to be effective for the renal hypokalemia in PHO patients.