[Relation factor analysis for the short-term preservation of ipsilateral renal function after partial nephrectomy]

Objectives: To analyze the factors relative to the short-term preservation of ipsilateral renal function after partial nephrectomy. Methods: The clinical data of 83 patients who were treated with partial nephrectomy from December 2014 to December 2019 in the Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively analyzed. There were 54 males and 29 females, aging (M (IQR)) 49 (17) years (range: 27 to 74 years). The ischemia time in operation was 25 (18) minutes (range: 10 to 67 minutes). Emission computed tomography scan and CT scan were performed before (within 1 month) and after (3 to 12 months) surgery. The volume of the ipsilateral and contralateral kidney was measured on the basis of preoperative and postoperative CT scans. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) specifically in each kidney was estimated by emission computed tomography. Recovery from ischemia is determined by the formula: GFR preservation/volume saved×100%. Linear regression was used to explore the factors ralative to the short-term preservation of ipsilateral renal function after partial nephrectomy. Results: The GFR preservation of the ipsilateral kidney was 80.9 (25.2) % (range: 31.0% to 109.4%). The volume loss of the kidney resulted in a decrease of 12.0% (5.8 ml/(min×1.96 m2)) of GFR, while the ischemic injury resulted in a decrease of 6.5% (2.5 ml/(min×1.96 m2)) of GFR. The volume saved from the ipsilateral kidney was 87.1 (12.9) % (range: 27.0% to 131.7%). Recovery from ischemia was 93.5 (17.5) % (range:44.3% to 178.3%). In multivariate analysis, GFR preservation of the ipsilateral kidney was significantly correlated with the volume saved of the ipsilateral kidney (β=0.383, 95%CI: 0.144 to 0.622, P=0.002). It was not related to the ischemia time (β=0.046, 95%CI:-0.383 to 0.475, P=0.831). Conclusion: In the condition of limited ischemic time, in the short term ipsilateral renal function after partial nephrectomy is mainly determined by the loss of kidney volume, while ischemic injury only plays a minor role.

[Long-term survival analysis of 1 367 patients treated with radical nephrectomy from a single center]

Objective: To report the long-term survival of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with radical nephrectomy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, pathological and follow-up records of 1 367 non-metastatic RCC patients treated with radical nephrectomy from 1999 to 2020 in this center. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival rate. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and group differences were compared through Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were fit to determine the clinical and pathological features associated with overall survival rate. Results: A total of 1 367 patients treated with radical nephrectomy with complete follow-up data were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 52.6 months, and 1 100 patients survived and 267 died, with the median time to overall survival not yet reached. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 82.8% and 74.9%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates of Leibovich low-risk patients were 93.3% and 88.2%, respectively; of Leibovich intermediate-risk patients were 82.2% and 72.3%, respectively; and of Leibovich high-risk patients were 50.5% and 30.2%, respectively. There were significant differences in the long-term survival among the three groups (P<0.001). The 10-year overall survival rates for patients with pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 RCC were 83.2%, 73.6%, 55.0% and 31.4%, respectively. There were significant differences among pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 patients(P<0.001). The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates of patients with lymph node metastasis were 48.5% and 35.6%, respectively, and those of patients without lymph node metastasis were 85.1% and 77.5%, respectively. There was significant difference in the long-term survival between patients with lymph node metastasis and without lymph node metastasis. The 10-year overall survival rate was 96.2% for nuclear Grade 1, 81.6% for nuclear Grade 2, 60.5% for nuclear Grade 3, and 43.4% for nuclear Grade 4 patients. The difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the long-term survival between patients with localized renal cancer (pT1-2N0M0) who underwent open surgery and minimally invasive surgery (10-year overall survival rate 80.5% vs 85.6%, P=0.160). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age≥55 years (HR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.50-2.96, P<0.001), T stage(T3+ T4 vs T1a: HR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.26-4.46, P=0.008), local lymph node metastasis (HR=3.04, 95%CI: 1.81-5.09, P<0.001), nuclear grade (G3-G4 vs G1: HR=4.21, 95%CI: 1.51-11.75, P=0.006), tumor necrosis (HR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.17-2.37, P=0.005), sarcomatoid differentiation (HR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.31-4.35, P=0.005) and BMI≥24kg/m(2) (HR=0.56, 95%CI: 0.39-0.80, P=0.001) were independent factors affecting long-term survival after radical nephrectomy. Conclusions: The long-term survival of radical nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma is satisfactory. Advanced age, higher pathological stage and grade, tumor necrosis and sarcomatoid differentiation were the main adverse factors affecting the prognosis of patients. Higher body mass index was a protective factor for the prognosis of patients.

[Efficacy and safety evaluation of immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy as second-line treatment in patients with metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor combined tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy versus TKI monotherapy as the second-line regimen for patients with metastatic non-clear cell renal carcinoma (nccRCC) who failed first-line TKI therapy. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 67 patients with metastatic nccRCC who failed first-line TKI therapy between October 2011 and September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 22 patients who received TKI monotherapy and 45 patients who received TKI plus PD-1 inhibitor as the second-line therapy. The efficacy was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0/1.1 (RECIST 1.0/1.1), the Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curves, and the Log rank test was used to analyze the differences in the survival between the two groups. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) after treatment were observed in both groups. Results: The overall objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 37.3% (25/67) and 56.7% (38/67), respectively. The overall second-line progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.7 months and Overall Survival (OS) was 25.2 months. The ORR and DCR of patients in the combination therapy group were 48.9% (22/45) and 71.1% (32/45), respectively, which were significantly improved compared with the TKI monotherapy group [13.6% (3/22) and 27.3% (6/22), respectively] (P=0.007 and P=0.001, respectively). The median PFS of 9.2 months for second-line treatment was longer in patients in the combination therapy group than in the TKI monotherapy group (5.2 months, P=0.001), but the median OS was not statistically different between the two groups (28.2 months vs 20.8 months, P=0.068). Common treatment-related AEs included hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue, stomatitis, hand-foot syndrome, and hypothyroidism. The incidence of hypothyroidism was higher in the combination therapy group [40.0% (18/45)] than in the TKI monotherapy group [22.7% (5/22), P=0.044]; the incidence of other treatment-related AEs between the two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Immune-targeted combination therapy was more effective than TKI monotherapy alone and was well tolerated in the treatment of metastatic nccRCC patients who failed first-line TKIs.

[Establishment and validation of a novel nomogram to predict overall survival after radical nephrectomy]

Objective: To establish a nomogram prognostic model for predicting the 5-, 10-, and 15-year overall survival (OS) of non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients managed with radical nephrectomy (RN), compare the modelled results with the results of pure pathologic staging, the Karakiewicz nomogram and the Mayo Clinic Stage, Size, Grade, and Necrosis (SSIGN) score commonly used in foreign countries, and stratify the patients into different prognostic risk subgroups. Methods: A total of 1 246 non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients managed with RN in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) from 1999 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen the variables that influence the prognosis for nomogram establishment, and the bootstrap random sampling was used for internal validation. The time-receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the calibration curve and the clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) were applied to evaluate the nomogram. The prediction efficacy of the nomogram and that of the pure pathologic staging, the Karakiewicz nomogram and the SSIGN score was compared through the area under the curve (AUC). Finally, patients were stratified into different risk subgroups according to our nomogram scores. Results: A total of 1 246 patients managed with RN were enrolled in this study. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, smoking history, pathological nuclear grade, sarcomatoid differentiation, tumor necrosis and pathological T and N stages were independent prognostic factors for RN patients (all P<0.05). A nomogram model named SYSUCC based on these factors was built to predict the 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rate of the participating patients. In the bootstrap random sampling with 1 000 iterations, all these factors occurred for more than 800 times as independent predictors. The Harrell's concordance index (C-index) of SYSUCC was higher compared with pure pathological staging [0.770 (95% CI: 0.716-0.823) vs 0.674 (95% CI: 0.621-0.728)]. The calibration curve showed that the survival rate as predicted by the SYSUCC model simulated the actual rate, while the clinical DCA showed that the SYSUCC nomogram has a benefit in certain probability ranges. In the ROC analysis that included 857 patients with detailed pathological nuclear stages, the nomogram had a larger AUC (5-/10-year AUC: 0.823/0.804) and better discriminating ability than pure pathological staging (5-/10-year AUC: 0.701/0.658), Karakiewicz nomogram (5-/10-year AUC: 0.772/0.734) and SSIGN score (5-/10-year AUC: 0.792/0.750) in predicting the 5-/10-year OS of RN patients (all P<0.05). In addition, the AUC of the SYSUCC nomogram for predicting the 15-year OS (0.820) was larger than that of the SSIGN score (0.709), and there was no statistical difference (P<0.05) between the SYSUCC nomogram, pure pathological staging (0.773) and the Karakiewicz nomogram (0.826). The calibration curve was close to the standard curve, which indicated that the model has good predictive performance. Finally, patients were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups (738, 379 and 129, respectively) according to the SYSUCC nomogram scores, among whom patients in intermediate- and high-risk subgroups had a worse OS than patients in the low-risk subgroup (intermediate-risk group vs. low-risk group: HR=4.33, 95% CI: 3.22-5.81, P<0.001; high-risk group vs low-risk group: HR=11.95, 95% CI: 8.29-17.24, P<0.001), and the high-risk subgroup had a worse OS than the intermediate-risk group (HR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.88-3.68, P<0.001). Conclusions: Age, smoking history, pathological nuclear grade, sarcomatoid differentiation, tumor necrosis and pathological stage were independent prognostic factors for non-metastasis renal cell carcinoma patients after RN. The SYSUCC nomogram based on these independent prognostic factors can better predict the 5-, 10-, and 15-year OS than pure pathological staging, the Karakiewicz nomogram and the SSIGN score of patients after RN. In addition, the SYSUCC nomogram has good discrimination, agreement, risk stratification and clinical application potential.

[Clinical translational research and application prospects of mesenchymal stem cells in periodontal tissue regeneration]

Periodontitis is an oral infectious disease that occurs in the tooth supporting tissues, which damages the soft and hard tissues of the periodontium and eventually results in tooth mobility and loss. Traditional clinical treatment can effectively control the periodontal infection and inflammation. However, as the therapeutic effect depending on the local condition of periodontal defect and the systemic factors of patients, it's hard to achieve satisfactory and stable periodontal tissue regeneration for damaged periodontal tissues. Recently, as a promising therapeutic strategy in periodontal regeneration, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) play an important role in modern regenerative medicine. Combined with the clinical translational researches of MSC in periodontal tissue engineering and the research results of our group in the past decade, it is summarized and explained the mechanism of MSC promoting periodontal regeneration, the preclinical and the clinical transformation researches as well as the future application prospects of MSC in periodontal regeneration therapy in this paper.

[Survey on the current situation and influencing factors of humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses in tertiary Grade A hospitals in Zhengzhou City]

Objective: To investigate the humanistic care consciousness and ability of outpatient and emergency nurses in tertiary Grade A hospitals in Zhengzhou City. Methods: In June 2021, a total of 345 outpatient and emergency nurses from 6 tertiary Grade A hospitals in Zhengzhou City were selected as the survey objects by random number table method. The humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses was investigated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors influencing the humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses. Results: The total score of humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses in Zhengzhou tertiary Grade A hospital was (194.18±30.53). The scores of humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses with different gender, age, educational background, professional title, length of service, night shift frequency, marital status, children's status, employment patterns and average monthly household income were significantly different (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that education background, length of service, professional title and night shift frequency were independent influencing factors for outpatient and emergency nurses' humanistic care ability (β=0.243, 0.139, 0.163, -0.126, P<0.05) . Conclusion: At present, the humanistic care ability of outpatient and emergency nurses in tertiary Grade A hospitals in Zhengzhou City is still low. Education, length of service, professional title and night shift frequency are independent influencing factors affecting the humanistic care ability of nurses.

[Efficacy of partial nephrectomy in patients with localized renal carcinoma: a 20-year experience of 2 046 patients in a single center]

Objectives: To analyze the long-term survival of patients with localized renal cell carcinoma after partical nephrectomy. Methods: The clinicopathological records and survival follow-up data of 2 046 patients with localized renal cell carcinoma, who were treated with partial nephrectomy from August 2001 to February 2021 in the Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 1 402 males and 644 females, aged (M(IQR)) 51 (19) years (range: 6 to 86 years). The primary end point of this study was cancer-specific survival. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference test was performed by Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were fitted to determine factors associated with cancer-specific survival. Results: The follow-up time was 49.2 (48.0) months (range: 1 to 229 months), with 1 974 patients surviving and 72 dying. The median cancer-specific survival time has not yet been reached. The 5- and 10-year cancer specific survival rates were 97.0% and 91.2%, respectively. The 10-year cancer-specific survival rates for stage pT1a (n=1 447), pT1b (n=523) and pT2 (n=58) were 95.3%, 81.8%, and 81.7%, respectively. The 10-year cancer-specific survival rates of patients with nuclear grade 1 (n=226), 2 (n=1 244) and 3 to 4 (n=278) were 96.6%, 89.4%, and 85.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences in 5-year cancer-specific survival rates among patients underwent open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery (96.7% vs. 97.1% vs. 97.5%, P=0.600). Multivariate analysis showed that age≥50 years (HR=3.93, 95%CI: 1.82 to 8.47, P<0.01), T stage (T1b vs. T1a: HR=3.31, 95%CI: 1.83 to 5.99, P<0.01; T2+T3 vs. T1a: HR=2.88, 95%CI: 1.00 to 8.28, P=0.049) and nuclear grade (G3 to 4 vs. G1: HR=2.81, 95%CI: 1.01 to 7.82, P=0.048) were independent prognostic factors of localized renal cell carcinoma after partial nephrectomy. Conclusions: The long-term cancer-specific survival rates of patients with localized renal cancer after partial nephrectomy are satisfactory. The type of operation (open, laparoscopic, or robotic) has no significant effect on survival. However, patients with older age, higher nuclear grade, and higher T stage have a lower cancer-specific survival rate. Grasping surgical indications, attaching importance to preoperative evaluation, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-up, could benefit achieving satisfactory long-term survival.

[Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant toripalimab combined with nimotuzumab and chemotherapy in patients with unresectable stage Ⅳ squamous cell carcinoma of penis]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of penis. Methods: A total of 33 patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of penis undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2015 to June 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. All the patients were male, with a median age (M(IQR))of 49.0 (13.5) years (range: 30 to 70 years). According to the therapy protocols, patients were divided into the chemotherapy group (16 cases) and the triple combination group (17 cases). Log-rank test was used to compare the progression-free survival and overall survival. χ² test or Fisher exact method was used to compare the objective response rate, pathological down-stage rate and adverse events between these two groups. Results: The follow-up time was 28.1(19.2) months (range: 1.5 to 33.4 months). Patients of triple combination group were observed significantly longer progression-free survival (30.0 months vs. 8.2 months, χ²=3.998, P=0.046) than those of chemotherapy group. The median overall survival of the triple combination group and chemotherapy group were not reached and 15.2 months (χ²=3.298, P=0.069), respectively. Although there was no significant difference in the subsequent surgical resection rate between these two groups (12/17 vs.11/16, P=1), the objective response rate and the pathological complete response rate in triple combination group were significantly higher than in chemotherapy group (13/17 vs. 6/16, χ²=5.125, P=0.024; 6/7 vs. 0, P=0.001). The main common grade 1 to 2 adverse events in the triple combination group were alopecia (16 cases), anemia (15 cases), and nausea (14 cases). The main common grade 1 to 2 adverse events in the chemotherapy group were anemia (14 cases), alopecia (12 cases), decreased appetite (12 cases), and nausea (11 cases). The incidence of adverse events ≥grade 3 was similar in the triple combination group and chemotherapy group (8/17 vs. 6/16, χ²=0.308, P=0.579). There was no grade 3 adverse event in both groups. Conclusion: Compared with traditional chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab provides longer progression-free survival and similar toxicity for unresectable stage Ⅳ squamous cell carcinoma of penis.

[Clinical analysis of three-dimensional surgical planning system for guiding robot-assisted selective artery clamping partial nephrectomy in completely endophytic renal tumor]

Objective: To examine the safety and feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) surgical planning system for guiding robot-assisted selective artery clamping partial nephrectomy (RASPN) in completely endophytic renal tumor. Methods: Clinical data of 32 patients who suffered from completely endophytic renal tumor and underwent RASPN associated with 3D surgical planning system in Department of Urology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center from November 2018 to August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 11 females, with the age (M (IQR)] of 45.0 (17.5) years (range: 30 to 68 years). Fifteen tumors were located on the left and 17 on the right. Maximum tumor diameter, R.E.N.A.L. Score and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were 27.5 (13.0) mm (range: 14 to 50 mm), 10.0 (1.8) (range: 7 to 11), and 105.5 (15.7) ml·min^-1·(1.73 m²)^-1 (range: 71.1 to 124.8 ml·min^-1·(1.73 m²)^-1), respectively. The 3D reconstruction before RASPN was performed in all patients to formulate surgical planning, mainly including stereo localization of renal mass, confirmation of tumor feeding artery, and injury prediction of collecting system or vessel via "2 mm distance method" defined as probable damage of renal pelvis/calyx and artery/vein when these tissues were less than 2 mm away from tumor. Results: Totally 32 patients successfully underwent RASPN guided by 3D surgical planning system, without conversion to open operation or radical nephrectomy. Rapid location of tumor and selective clamping of artery were achieved in all cases and no one encountered global ischemia, with branch occlusion time of 24.5 (15.4) min (range: 12 to 60 min) and coincidence rate of 95.0% (57/60) between planned and actual clamping vessels. The sensitivity and specificity of 2 mm distance method for predicting the injury of collecting system were 13/15 and 17/17, respectively. The operating time of 185 (48) minuetes (range: 76 to 295 minutes) and estimated blood loss of 200 (350) ml (range: 20 to 800 ml) were observed, without intraoperative transfusion case. There was one patient performed with renal vein repair. Clavien-Dindo postoperative grade Ⅱ and Ⅲa bleeding complications occurred in 2 cases, and no postoperative urinary fistula was found. The length of hospitalization was 3 (0) days (range: 2 to 10 days). The pathological diagnosis demonstrated 4 chromophobe cell carcinomas and 2 angiomyolipomas, besides 26 clear cell carcinomas including one positive surgical margin. The postoperative latest eGFR was 103.9(18.5) ml·min^-1·(1.73 m²)^-1 (range: 75.8 to 122.3 ml·min^-1·(1.73 m²)^-1) and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was detected during the follow-up time of 15.4 (13.9) months (range: 3 to 35 months). Conclusion: For RASPN in completely endophytic renal tumor, 3D surgical planning system is contributed to determining mass position, defining tumor feeding artery, and predicting collecting system/vessel injury, which benefited precise tumor resection, postoperative renal function preservation, and perioperative urinary fistula and bleeding complication decrease.

[Help-seeking efficacy and the intention of social assistance among medical care personnel during the major public health events]

Objective: To explore the help seeking efficacy and social assistance willingness of medical staff during major public health events, so as to provide basis for improving the psychological resources and service quality of medical staff and further optimizing the prevention and treatment policies. Methods: In February 2020, a convenient sampling method was used to conduct an online questionnaire survey on medical staff in Henan Province, and a total of 2136 questionnaires were collected. Among them, there were 1940 valid questionnaires, and the effective recovery rate was 90.82%. The questionnaire of help seeking efficacy and willingness to social assistance under epidemic situation was used to investigate the help seeking efficacy and willingness of medical staff. The frequency and rate (%) were used to analyze the overall situation of medical staff's help seeking efficacy and social assistance willingness. The differences among different demographic variables were tested by χ(2) test. Results: Among the 1940 medical and nursing staff, 18.81% (365/1940) did not know how to obtain appropriate psychological assistance. Compared with the low age group, the medical staff in the high age group had the ability of information query, the ability to occupy knowledge resources, the ability to distinguish rumors and facts and the sense of efficacy of obtaining appropriate medical help, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The willingness of medical and nursing staff to actively cooperate with the government, maintain social stability and volunteer work were 99.43% (1929/1940) , 98.81% (1917/1940) and 97.11% (1884/1940) . Conclusion: The medical staff had a higher sense of help seeking efficacy and willingness to social assistance. It is necessary to further strengthen the resource support of psychological, social and humanistic care for medical staff.

Application of Maxillary Sinus Effusion Detection in Diagnosis of Drowning

Abstract

Objective To study the imaging characteristics of maxillary sinus effusion in drowned bodies, to explore its morphological characteristics and value in the diagnosis of the cause of death, and to provide objective evidence to support the study of virtual anatomy of drowning. Methods The 154 postmortem CT examination cases （31 cases of drowning, 123 cases of non-drowning） of Beijing Public Security Bureau Forensic Center in 2019 were collected. The bodies of all cases were scanned by multi-layer spiral CT before double-blind reading by clinical imaging experts. Maxillary sinus of corpses with maxillary sinus effusion in imaging findings was punctured. The detection rate of maxillary sinus effusion was calculated. The CT value and volume of maxillary sinus effusion were measured on 3D DICOM workstation. Results The detection rate of maxillary sinus effusion in the drowning was 100%, the shape was horizontal liquid level, the volume was 1.2-11.2 mL, the CT value was 6.08-19.02 Hu, with an average value of 12.85 Hu. The detection rate of maxillary sinus effusion in non-drowning was 19.51% （24/123）, the shape was wavy or irregular, and there were bubbles inside, the volume was 0.4-13.4 mL, the CT value was 23.68-77.75 Hu, with an average value of 42.08 Hu. The differences in CT value between the two groups had statistical significance. Conclusion The postmortem CT examination method can be used to observe the shape and measure the CT value of the maxillary sinus effusion in the bodies in water, which can be an auxiliary examination method for identification of drowning.

SAT0357 LEVELS OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND THEIR CHANGES AFTER RECEIVING IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES

Background:

Ankylosing spondylitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease involving of the axial skeleton, joints, and entheses1. Although the homeostatic balance of effector T cells (Teffs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)2, it is unclear whether the levels of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis are abnormal or not.

Objectives:

To explore the differences of lymphocyte subpopulations of peripheral blood (PB) between AS patients and healthy controls (HCs), and further evaluate the therapeutic effect of immunoregulatory drugs on the lymphocyte subpopulations.

Methods:

Total 1141 patients with AS and 206 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study and donated their blood to measure the levels of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads. And 456 patients received immunoregulatory combination treatments which includes low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid etc. and donated their PB after the therapies. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation to the distribution. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied.Pvalue <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Compared with HCs, AS patients had a lower absolute number of Tregs but higher numbers of peripheral T, B, CD4+T, CD8+T and Th17 cells (P<0.05). Further, there was a significant increase in the percentage of B, CD4+T and the ratios of Teffs/Tregs such as Th1/Tregs, Th2/Tregs and Th17/Tregs compared with HCs (P<0.05)(Figure 1). Although, after receiving the immunoregulatory combination treatments, the absolute numbers of various peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations such as T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th17 and Tregs and the percentage of Tregs, Th1 and CD8+T significantly increased (P<0.05), the ratios of Th2/Tregs significantly decreased (P<0.05)(Figure 2), suggesting a rebalance of immune systems.

Conclusion:

The insufficiency of Tregs may involve in pathogenesis of AS. Immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation of Tregs as well as other lymphocytes to some degree, which may be a new target for AS treatment.

References:

[1]van der Heijde D, Song IH, Pangan AL, et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (SELECT-AXIS 1): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 trial. Lancet 2019;394(10214):2108-17. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32534-6 [published Online First: 2019/11/17]

[2]Xu D, Fan J, Chen Q, et al. OP0028 Low dose IL-2 therapy can recovery TH17/TREG cell balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Oral Presentations, 2017:63.1-63.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0795 ABNORMAL LEVELS OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTES SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND RESTORATION AFTER RECEIVING OUR NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by skin and joint inflammation with lymphocytes disturbance[1,2]. However, the statuses of immune cell subsets are unclear. In addition, although, during the past 20 years, the treatment of the PsA has progressed rapidly, it still remains an unmet need[3].

Objectives:

To compare the lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of PsA patients and healthy controls and, evaluate effects of immunoregulatory combination therapies, such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, and retinoic acid, on the proliferation and functional recovery of lymphocyte subsets in PsA patients.

Methods:

From September 2014 to December 2019, 218 PsA patients (107 male and 111 female) and 206 healthy controls (78 male and 128 female) were enrolled, including 112 patients (50 male and 62 female) who received immunoregulatory combination treatments (low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10, ect). The absolute numbers and ratio of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry with absolute counting beads. The data were subject to normal distribution, which was expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied. P value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

The absolute numbers of B, CD4+T and Th17 in PsA patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (P<0.01), while the absolute numbers of NK and the percentage of Th1 and Tregs were decreased significantly (P<0.01). The ratio of Th17/Tregs was significantly increase (P<0.001) (Figure 1). After receiving our new immunoregulatory combination therapies, the percentage of B, Th2 and Th17 were lower than before (P<0.05) and the absolute numbers of T, CD8+T, NK, Th1 and Tregs in PsA patients were increased (P<0.05). Further, the ratios of Teffs/Tregs had a tendency to decrease (rebalance of them): Th2/Tregs (P<0.01) and Th17/Tregs (P=0.095) (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

The abnormal levels of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations resulted in an imbalance of Teffs/Tregs, which might play an important role in PsA pathogenesis. Our new immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation of Tregs and may help for PsA patients’ symptom remission.

References:

[1]Gladman DD, Antoni C, Mease P, et al. Psoriatic arthritis: epidemiology, clinical features, course, and outcome. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64 Suppl 2:ii14-7. doi: 10.1136/ard.2004.032482 [published Online First: 2005/02/15]

[2]Ritchlin CT, Colbert RA, Gladman DD. Psoriatic Arthritis. N Engl J Med 2017;376(10):957-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1505557 [published Online First: 2017/03/09]

[3]Winthrop KL, Weinblatt ME, Crow MK, et al. Unmet need in rheumatology: reports from the Targeted Therapies meeting 2018. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78(7):872-78. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214280 [published Online First: 2019/02/04]

Figure 1.

Article selection

Acknowledgments:

None.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

SAT0183 STATUS OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME AND THEIR CHANGES AFTER RECEIVING OUR NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPY: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease mainly involving exocrine glands and involving multiple organs and systems1. Recent studies have reported that peripheral lymphocyte subsets such as Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory cells (Tregs), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pSS2. However, the detailed statuses of lymphocyte subsets of pSS patients remain to be clearly evaluate and effects of immunomodulatory therapies on the lymphocyte subsets are unknown.

Objectives:

To explore the pathogenesis and evaluate the therapeutic effect of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) by comparing the changes of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood (PB) before and after treatment.

Methods:

This study included 1,221 pSS patients and 206 healthy controls (HCs). Among these patient, 759 patients were received our new immunoregulatory therapies such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid etc. The absolute numbers of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs in PB of these subjects were detected by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation to the distribution. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied.Pvalue <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

The absolute numbers of circulating Tregs as well as T, NK cells in pSS patients were significantly lower than those of HCs (P<0.05). After immunoregulatory combination treatments, the number of Tregs was significantly increased (P<0.05). Though the absolute numbers of T, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, and Th17 cells were also increased to some degree (P<0.05), the increased amount of Tregs was much more than other cells, resulting a new balance between pro- and anti- inflammatory lymphocyte homeostasis.

Conclusion:

The decrease of peripheral Tregs played an important role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Immunoregulatory combination therapies promoted the increase of Tregs and might help for the recovery of pSS.

References:

[1]Mariette X, Criswell LA. Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome. N Engl J Med 2018;378(10):931-39. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1702514 [published Online First: 2018/03/08]

[2]Miao M, Hao Z, Guo Y, et al. Short-term and low-dose IL-2 therapy restores the Th17/Treg balance in the peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77(12):1838-40. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213036 [published Online First: 2018/06/25]

Acknowledgments :

None.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0499 ABNORMALITY OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN BECHET’S DISEASE AND EFFECTS OF NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES ON THESE CELLS

Background:

Bechet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystemic vasculitis. Although its exact etiopathology is unknown, both autoimmune imbalances associated with genetic and abnormal immune response of effector lymphocytes promoted by infectious factors are suggested1. The increase of effector T cells (Teffs) and the decrease of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are possibly the involving factors in the pathogenesis of BD2. Importantly, we have developed new immunoregulatory combination therapies trying to restore the reduction of Tregs in rheumatic patients.

Objectives:

To examine abnormal levels of lymphocyte subsets in BD patients at a relatively large-sample size and to investigate whether the immunoregulatory combination therapies have therapeutic efficacy in BD.

Methods:

Total 384 BD patients and 206 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Proportions and absolute numbers of peripheral T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) for all participants. Among these patients,183 cases of BD patients were treated with immunoregulatory combination drugs (IMiDs) such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10. The levels of peripheral lymphocyte subsets were measured before and after the treatment. Compared-T test was used to compare continuous measures and to assess effect of these drugs.

Results:

Compared to HCs, the absolute numbers of various Teffs such as T, B, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1 and Th17 cells were significantly increased in BD group (P<0.01), while the level of Tregs in patients with BD was severely decreased (P< 0.05), resulting in increased ratios (imbalance) of Th1/Tregs, Th2/Tregs and Th17/Tregs (P< 0.05) (Figure 1). After the IMiDs treatment, the levels of NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th17 cells as well as Tregs were significantly increased (P<0.05). But the increased Tregs was much more dramatical than those of Teffs, resulting in a decrease in ratios of Teffs/Tregs such as Th2/Tregs (P< 0.001) (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

Impaired balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells, especially insufficiency of Tregs, might be a cornerstone of the pathogenesis of BD. Immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation and functional recovery of Tregs in patients with BD and might help to alleviate disease activity.

References:

[1]Yazici H, Seyahi E, Hatemi G, et al. Behcet syndrome: a contemporary view. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018;14(2):107-19. doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2017.208 [published Online First: 2018/01/04]

[2]Rosenzwajg M, Lorenzon R, Cacoub P, et al. Immunological and clinical effects of low-dose interleukin-2 across 11 autoimmune diseases in a single, open clinical trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78(2):209-17. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214229 [published Online First: 2018/11/26]

Acknowledgments:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

[Clinical outcome of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and predicting retroperitoneal histology in advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis]

Objective: To explore the clinical outcome of advanced testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients undergoing post chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND), and to analyze the relevant prognostic factors of lymph node pathological. Methods: A total of 43 consecutive testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients underwent PC-RPLND between March 2001 and December 2014 in Department of Urology at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. The average age of the patients was (29.0±11.5) years (ranging from 12 to 58 years). Before PC-RPLND, 22 patients were classified as phase Ⅱ, while 21 were phase Ⅲ. Primary tumor histology revealed seminomatous elements in 19 cases, embryonal cell carcinoma in 22 cases, yolk sac tumor in 13 cases, chorionic carcinoma in 3 cases, mature teratomatous elements in 11 and immature teratomatous elements in 2 cases. Patients were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy after orchectomy and then underwent surgical resection of retroperitoneal lymph nodes.After PC-RPLND, all patients underwent a periodic review including the blood routine, biochemistry routine and computed tomography or ultrasonograph of the chest, the abdomen and the pelvis. The association of pathological data with patient's clinic features and the correlations between molecular features detected with each other were assessed by the t test, χ(2) and Fisher's exact test. Multivariate logistic regression were used to assess prognostic factors. Results: The median operative time was 278 minutes (ranging from 50 to 715 minutes). Median blood loss was 425 ml (ranging from 50 to 5 000 ml). Eight patients received blood transfusion intra-operatively, 2 patients underwent adjunctive surgical procedures, 4 patients developed ileus and 4 had an ascites chylosus following PC-RPLND, 1 patient had a postoperative hyperthermia and retrograde ejaculation was present in 10 patients. The transverse diameter of the residual tumor in patients ranged from 0.8 to 18.2 cm. Necrosis, teratoma and viable germ cell tumors were found in 15, 17 and 11 of all patients. The median follow-up time was 46 months (ranging from 6 to 169 months). There were 39 patients had no tumor recurrence, 7 patients were found recurrence after PC-RPLND, 5 died of malignant germ cell tumor. The normal serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level before chemotherapy (HR=25.811, 95%CI: 0.678 to 982.624, P=0.017) and relative changes more than 50% in retroperitoneal lymph node size (HR=0.016, 95%CI: 0 to 0.698, P=0.032) were statistically significant prognostic factors of the presence of necrosis. Conclusions: Since most residual masses are not sensitive to chemotherapy, PC-RPLND is still an essential part of the treatment of metastatic testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer. Patients with the normal serum LDH level before chemotherapy and a shrinkage of 50% or more in retroperitoneal mass have a considerably chance of having necrosis in the retroperitoneum resection. This may help to refine the selection of candidates for PC-RPLND.

[Oxidative stress and antioxitant therapy of chronic periodontitis]

Chronic periodontitis is a progressive, infectious inflammation disease, caused by the dysbiosis of oral resident flora, leading to the destruction of periodontium. The onset of pathogenic microorganisms is the etiological factor of periodontitis, while the immuno-inflammatory response affects the progression of the disease. Under chronic periodontitis, oxidative stress occurs when excessive reactive oxygen species are produced and exceed the compensative capacity of the organism. Oxidative stress leads to the destruction of periodontium, in a direct way(damaging the biomolecule) or an indirect way(enhancing the produce of inflammatory cytokine and destructive enzymes). Therefore, as the antagonist of the reactive oxygen species, antioxidants may be helpful to treat the chronic periodontitis. This paper reviewed relevant literatures about the destructive role of excessive reactive oxygen species and protective role of antioxidants in chronic periodontitis.

[Estimation of femoral version based on broach geometry after femoral-neck osteotomy]

OBJECTIVE

To find out whether it is accurate to estimate femoral version based on femoral broach after femoral neck osteotomy using computed tomography scans.

METHODS

In 32 total hip arthroplasty (THA), we performed CT scans before and after operation. Four possible levels (lesser trochanter, 5 mm above, 10 mm above and 15 mm above the lesser trochanter) of broach version were calculated based on the preoperative CT scan. Stem versions were measured on the postoperative CT scan. We determined the difference between the preoperative broach version and the postoperative stem version using the Student's t test for paired samples assuming equal variance.

RESULTS

For the operated hips, preoperative hip version differed according to the level of measurement. Our findings showed that the average femoral version was 37.0°±11.0° at the level of the lesser trochanter (section 1), 34.3°±10.6° at 5 mm above the lesser trochanter (section 2), 28.1°±10.9° at 10 mm above the lesser trochanter (section 3), and 22.4°± 13.7° at 15 mm above the lesser trochanter (section 4), and that the average version for the femoral neck (FNV) was 12.9°±13.8°. The postoperative hip version was the stem version (FSV), which we found to be an average of 26.1°±11.0°. The mean femoral version for section 1 and 2 was larger than the mean postoperative stem version (P<0.01); the mean version for sections 3 and 4 did not differ from the mean postoperative stem version (P>0.05). The mean femoral neck version was less than the mean postoperative stem version (P<0.01); the difference was 13.2°±11.1° of the increased anteversion on average for the FSV compared with FNV.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of estimated femoral version after arthroplasty depends on broach level. When it is 10 mm above the lesser trochanter, stem version estimation is accurate, but below that level, there is a tendency to overestimate.

Characterization and molecular mapping of stripe rust resistance gene Yr61 in winter wheat cultivar Pindong 34

We report a new stripe rust resistance gene on chromosome 7AS in wheat and molecular markers useful for transferring it to other wheat genotypes. Several new races of the stripe rust pathogen have established throughout the wheat growing regions of China in recent years. These new races are virulent to most of the designated seedling resistance genes limiting the resistance sources. It is necessary to identify new genes for diversification and for pyramiding different resistance genes in order to achieve more durable resistance. We report here the identification of a new resistance gene, designated as Yr61, in Chinese wheat cultivar Pindong 34. A mapping population of 208 F2 plants and 128 derived F2:3 lines in a cross between Mingxian 169 and Pindong 34 was evaluated for seedling stripe rust response. A genetic map consisting of eight resistance gene analog polymorphism (RGAP), two sequence-tagged site (STS) and four simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed. Yr61 was located on the short arm of chromosome 7A and flanked by RGAP markers Xwgp5467 and Xwgp5765 about 1.9 and 3.9 cM in distance, which were successfully converted into STS markers STS5467 and STS5765b, respectively. The flanking STS markers could be used for marker-assisted selection of Yr61 in breeding programs.

Association of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) gene polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between polymorphisms of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk; however, the results remain conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ADAM33S2 and -T1 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to COPD risk in the Chinese population. Publications addressing the association between ADAM33S2 or T1 polymorphisms and COPD risk were selected from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Two independent reviewers extracted data from the studies. Statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.0.25 and STATA 11.0 software. Six case-control studies were retrieved, including a total of 1201 COPD patients and 1203 controls. Meta-analysis results showed a significant association between the T1 polymorphism and COPD risk in both dominant model [odds ratio (OR) = 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-4.61, P = 0.002] and recessive model (OR = 3.50, 95%CI = 2.11-5.81, P < 0.00001) comparisons. For S2, no significant association was found in any genetic model. This suggests that the T1 polymorphism of ADAM33 would increase the risk of COPD in a Chinese individual, whereas the S2 polymorphism might not be a risk factor for COPD. To further evaluate the gene-to-gene and gene-to-environment interactions on ADAM33 genetic variations and COPD risk, more studies using large sample sizes of patients are needed.

Proteomic data show an increase in autoantibodies and alpha-fetoprotein and a decrease in apolipoprotein A-II with time in sera from senescence-accelerated mice

We evaluated changes in levels by comparing serum proteins in senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice at 2, 6, 12, and 15 months of age (SAMP8-2 m, -6 m, -12 m, -15 m) to age-matched SAM-resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Mice were sacrificed, and blood was analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry. Five protein spots were present in all SAMP8 serum samples, but only appeared in SAMR1 samples at 15 months of age except for spot 3, which also showed a slight expression in SAMR1-12 m sera. Two proteins decreased in the sera from SAMP8-2 m, -6 m, and -12 m mice, and divided into 2 spots each in SAMP8-15 m sera. Thus, the total number of altered spots in SAMP8 sera was 7; of these, 4 were identified as Ig kappa chain V region (M-T413), chain A of an activity suppressing Fab fragment to cytochrome P450 aromatase (32C2_A), alpha-fetoprotein, and apolipoprotein A-II. M-T413 is a monoclonal CD4 antibody, which inhibits T cell proliferation. We found that M-T413 RNA level was significantly enhanced in splenocytes from SAMP8-2 m mice. This agreed with serum M-T413 protein alterations and a strikingly lower blood CD4⁺ T cell count in SAMP8 mice when compared to the age-matched SAMR1 mice, with the latter negatively correlating with serum M-T413 protein volume. Age-related changes in serum proteins favored an increase in autoantibodies and alpha-fetoprotein and a decrease of apolipoprotein A-II, which occurred in SAMP8 mice at 2 months of age and onwards. These proteins may serve as candidate biomarkers for early aging.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of eszopiclone in healthy Chinese volunteers

The main objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic characters of eszopiclone (CAS: 138729-47-2) after single and multiple-dose oral administration in healthy adult Chinese volunteers.In single-dose study, 12 subjects were given oral administrations of 1.5, 3 and 6 mg eszopiclone in an open-label, randomized, crossover fashion. In multiple-dose study, 8 subjects were given 3 mg eszopiclone once daily consecutively for 7 days. Blood samples were collected over 24 h and plasma eszopiclone were determined using a validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay. The safety and tolerability of eszopiclone was evaluated by adverse events recording, physical examination, laboratory testing, vital signs, and 12-lead ECG findings.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of eszopiclone after single-dose administration were as follows: doses of 1.5, 3 and 6 mg; Cmax of 18.08±4.65, 38.29±15.41 and 76.38±23.34 ng/ml; Tmax of 0.94±0.39, 1.04±0.63 and 1.08±0.51 h; AUC0-24 of 110.90±23.06, 227.36±62.41 and 504.10±140.13 ng*h/ml; elimination half-lives of 5.84±1.03, 5.53±1.91 and 6.17±1.23 h. After multiple-dose administration, the steady-state levels of eszopiclone were achieved by the 4th day, and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were Css_max at 33.43±5.63 ng/ml and AUCss (0-24) at 263.30±51.21 ng*h/ml. The most common adverse event was bitter or abnormal taste. All the adverse events were judged as mild to moderate and resolved without any medication.The pharmacokinetic character of eszopiclone is linear and dose-proportional over the range of 1.5-6 mg. The systemic exposure does not accumulate with once-daily administrations. Eszopiclone appears to have good safety and is well tolerated.

Safe zone for transacetabular screw fixation in prosthetic acetabular reconstruction of high developmental dysplasia of the hip

BACKGROUND

Prosthetic reconstruction of hips with Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia (a high complete dislocation) is technically demanding. Insufficient osseous coverage and osteopenic bone stock frequently necessitate transacetabular screw fixation to augment primary stability of the metal acetabular shell. We sought to determine whether a previously reported quadrant system for screw fixation of the acetabular cup can be applied in patients with high dislocation of the hip and to define a specialized safe zone for screw fixation in these hips, if needed.

METHODS

Using volumetric computed tomographic data and image-processing software, we made three-dimensional reconstructions of the osseous and vascular structures in eighteen hips in twelve patients. We virtually reconstructed a cup in the true acetabulum and dynamically simulated transacetabular screw fixation. We mapped the hemispheric cup into several areas and, for each, measured the distance between the virtual screw and the external iliac (femoral) and obturator blood vessels. In the six patients with unilateral high dislocation of the hip and a relatively normal, contralateral hip, the six relatively normal hips served as controls.

RESULTS

Reconstruction of the cup at the level of the true acetabulum shifted the center of rotation anteroinferiorly in the hips with a high, complete dislocation. Screws guided by the quadrant system frequently injured the obturator blood vessels in the hips with a high dislocation. In these patients, the safe zone shifted as a result of moving the prosthetic cup.

CONCLUSIONS

The quadrant system, although helpful in determining screw placement in hips with a normal center of rotation, can be misleading and of less value in guiding screw insertion to augment acetabular shells for hips with a high dislocation. We believe that a safe zone specific to hips with a high dislocation should be used to guide transacetabular screw fixation.

[Using L-form bacterium ATP bioluminescence assay for rapid testing L-form bacterial susceptibility]

Adenosine triphosphate is a kind of necessary metabolites in living cells. The authors detected ATP contents by using bioluminescence method in 111 strains of L-form bacteria after exposing to 5 kinds of antibiotics. The results showed that the mean value of CPM was less than (35 +/- 10.2)%.s-1. Thus, the value could be acted as a critical concentration between susceptibility and resistance. The conincidence rate of this method and K-B method was 95.3%. It indicates that the bioluminescence method has a high sensitivity. It can be used to detect L-form bacterium-drug susceptibility quickly and may play an important role for choosing the antibiotics.

Iridoids from Phlomis umbrosa

Two epimeric pairs of iridoid aglycones, named shanzhigenin methyl ester and 1-epishanzhigenin methyl ester, and 8-acetylshanzhigenin methyl ester and 8-acetyl-1-epishanzhigenin methyl ester, were isolated from Phlomis umbrosa roots, along with five known iridoid glucosides. The four iridoid aglycones are reported for the first time from a natural source. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic experiments, and chemical methods.

[Determination of lead in urine by differential potentiometric stripping analysis]

In the determination of lead in urine by differential potentiometric stripping analysis (DPSA) urine samples are acidified with hydrochloric acid to a total concentration equal to 0.2 mol/L without prior digestion with mineral acids. The sample is pre-electrolyzed at -1.2V (Vs SCE) for 80 seconds by glassy-carbon electrode coated with mercury. The lead concentrations are evaluated by means of standard addition. Detection limit of the method is 2ppb. The linear relationship occurs in the range of 0-150ppb. The relative standard deviations are 1.6% and the recovery of lead in urine samples is 89.5-110.0%. Compared with dithizone method, this method shows no significant difference in the results obtained.