Assessing recent recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatitis Brelated hepatocellular carcinoma by a predictive model based on sarcopenia

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia may be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)following hepatectomy.But traditional single clinical variables are still insufficient to predict recurrence.We still lack effective prediction models for recent recurrence(time to recurrence<2 years)after hepatectomy for HCC.AIM To establish an interventable prediction model to estimate recurrence-free survival(RFS)after hepatectomy for HCC based on sarcopenia.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 283 hepatitis B-related HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for the first time,and the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar spine was measured by preoperative computed tomography.94 of these patients were enrolled for external validation.Cox multivariate analysis was per-formed to identify the risk factors of postoperative recurrence in training cohort.A nomogram model was developed to predict the RFS of HCC patients,and its predictive performance was validated.The predictive efficacy of this model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia[Hazard ratio(HR)=1.767,95%CI:1.166-2.678,P<0.05],alpha-fetoprotein≥40 ng/mL(HR=1.984,95%CI:1.307-3.011,P<0.05),the maximum diameter of tumor>5 cm(HR=2.222,95%CI:1.285-3.842,P<0.05),and hepatitis B virus DNA level≥2000 IU/mL(HR=2.1,95%CI:1.407-3.135,P<0.05)were independent risk factors associated with postoperative recurrence of HCC.Based on the sarcopenia to assess the RFS model of hepatectomy with hepatitis B-related liver cancer disease(SAMD)was established combined with other the above risk factors.The area under the curve of the SAMD model was 0.782(95%CI:0.705-0.858)in the training cohort(sensitivity 81%,specificity 63%)and 0.773(95%CI:0.707-0.838)in the validation cohort.Besides,a SAMD score≥110 was better to distinguish the high-risk group of postoperative recurrence of HCC.CONCLUSION Sarcopenia is associated with recent recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatitis B-related HCC.A nutritional status-based prediction model is first established for postoperative recurrence of hepatitis B-related HCC,which is superior to other models and contributes to prognosis prediction.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids:Current progress and challenges

Human pluripotent stem cell(hPSC)-derived kidney organoids share similarities with the fetal kidney.However,the current hPSC-derived kidney organoids have some limitations,including the inability to perform nephrogenesis and lack of a corticomedullary definition,uniform vascular system,and coordinated exit path-way for urinary filtrate.Therefore,further studies are required to produce hPSC-derived kidney organoids that accurately mimic human kidneys to facilitate research on kidney development,regeneration,disease modeling,and drug screening.In this review,we discussed recent advances in the generation of hPSC-derived kidney organoids,how these organoids contribute to the understanding of human kidney development and research in disease modeling.Additionally,the limitations,future research focus,and applications of hPSC-derived kidney organoids were highlighted.

Vulnerable brain regions in adolescent major depressive disorder:A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Adolescent major depressive disorder(MDD)is a significant mental health concern that often leads to recurrent depression in adulthood.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)offers unique insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition.However,despite previous research,the specific vulnerable brain regions affected in adolescent MDD patients have not been fully elucidated.AIM To identify consistent vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients using rs-fMRI and activation likelihood estimation(ALE)meta-analysis.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search through July 12,2023,for studies investigating brain functional changes in adolescent MDD patients.We utilized regional homogeneity(ReHo),amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and fractional ALFF(fALFF)analyses.We compared the regions of aberrant spontaneous neural activity in adolescents with MDD vs healthy controls(HCs)using ALE.RESULTS Ten studies(369 adolescent MDD patients and 313 HCs)were included.Combining the ReHo and ALFF/fALFF data,the results revealed that the activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus was lower in the adolescent MDD patients than in the HCs(voxel size:648 mm3,P<0.05),and no brain region exhibited increased activity.Based on the ALFF data,we found decreased activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus in adolescent MDD patients(voxel size:736 mm3,P<0.05),with no regions exhibiting increased activity.CONCLUSION Through ALE meta-analysis,we consistently identified the right cuneus and left precuneus as vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients,increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of affected adolescents.

Alterations of sleep deprivation on brain function:A coordinatebased resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Sleep deprivation is a prevalent issue that impacts cognitive function.Although numerous neuroimaging studies have explored the neural correlates of sleep loss,inconsistencies persist in the reported results,necessitating an investigation into the consistent brain functional changes resulting from sleep loss.AIM To establish the consistency of brain functional alterations associated with sleep deprivation through systematic searches of neuroimaging databases.Two metaanalytic methods,signed differential mapping(SDM)and activation likelihood estimation(ALE),were employed to analyze functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)data.METHODS A systematic search performed according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted across multiple databases through July 29,2023.Studies that met specific inclusion criteria,focused on healthy subjects with acute sleep deprivation and reported whole-brain functional data in English were considered.A total of 21 studies were selected for SDM and ALE meta-analyses.RESULTS Twenty-one studies,including 23 experiments and 498 subjects,were included.Compared to pre-sleep deprivation,post-sleep deprivation brain function was associated with increased gray matter in the right corpus callosum and decreased activity in the left medial frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule.SDM revealed increased brain functional activity in the left striatum and right central posterior gyrus and decreased activity in the right cerebellar gyrus,left middle frontal gyrus,corpus callosum,and right cuneus.CONCLUSION This meta-analysis consistently identified brain regions affected by sleep deprivation,notably the left medial frontal gyrus and corpus callosum,shedding light on the neuropathology of sleep deprivation and offering insights into its neurological impact.

Investigation for the transcultural self-efficacy of nurses in Guizhou,China

Aim:As conflict caused by cultural diversity among patients in China continues to rise,hospitals are in urgent need for improvement of transcultural efficacy among nurses.This study aims to evaluate the transcultural self-efficacy of nurses working in the tertiary general hospital in Guizhou Province,an ethnic minority region in western China,and to identify whether nurses'demographic characteristics affect their transcultural self-efficacy.Method:We used the Chinese version of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool(TSET-CV)to survey 1,190 inservice nurses.Results:Results showed that the level of transcultural self-efficacy of the nurses was generally moderate;few of the nurses had high or low transcultural self-efficacy.The nurses'transcultural self-efficacy was affected by demographic variables,including age,marital status,employment type,income,work experience,and whether or not they were head nurses.Having a stable work environment,a stable marriage,a good educational background,and a high-ranked professional title were associated with increased transcultural self-efficacy.Conclusion:Nursing administrators in hospitals should offer continuing education on transcuitural nursing according to nurses'demographic characteristics and the SEST scores.

Predicting disease progression in cirrhotic patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt implantation:A sexstratified analysis

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)has been extensively used to treat portal hypertension-associated complications,including cirrhosis.The prediction of post-TIPS prognosis is important for cirrhotic patients,as more aggressive liver transplantation is needed when the post-TIPS prognosis is poor.AIM To construct a nutrition-based model that could predict the disease progression of cirrhotic patients after TIPS implantation in a sex-dependent manner.METHODS This study retrospectively recruited cirrhotic patients undergoing TIPS implantation for analysis.Muscle quality was assessed by measuring the skeletal muscle index(SMI)by computed tomography.Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to determine the association between SMI and disease progression in cirrhotic patients after TIPS implantation.RESULTS This study eventually included 186 cirrhotic patients receiving TIPS who were followed up for 30.5±18.8 mo.For male patients,the 30-mo survival rate was significantly lower and the probability of progressive events was higher(3.257-fold)in the low-level SMI group than in the high-level SMI group.According to the multivariate Cox analysis of male patients,SMI<32.8 was an independent risk factor for long-term adverse outcomes after TIPS implantation.A model was constructed,which involved creatinine,plasma ammonia,SMI,and acute-on-chronic liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy occurring within half a year after surgery.This model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.852,sensitivity of 0.926,and specificity of 0.652.According to the results of the DeLong test,this model outperformed other models(Child-Turcotte-Pugh,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease,and Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION SMI is strongly associated with poor long-term outcomes in male patients with cirrhosis who underwent TIPS implantation.

Metachronous urothelial carcinoma in the renal pelvis,bladder,and urethra:A case report

BACKGROUND Urothelial carcinoma(UC)is a common malignancy of the urinary system that can occur anywhere from the renal pelvis to the proximal urethra.Most UCs are in the bladder and have multifocal growth.Upper urinary tract UC(UTUC),which occurs in the renal pelvis or ureter,accounts for only 5%to 10%of UCs.CASE SUMMARY In March 2015,a 70-year-old male who initially presented to a local hospital with a complaint of painless hematuria was diagnosed with UTUC of the right renal pelvis.The doctors administered radical nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision.Although the doctors recommended intravesical chemotherapy and regular follow-up,he rejected this advice.In December 2016,the patient presented at our hospital with dysuria.We identified UC in the residual bladder and administered radical cystectomy and left cutaneous ureterostomy.In November 2021,he presented again with urethral bleeding.We detected urethral UC as the cause of urethral orifice bleeding and administered radical urethrectomy.Since then,he has visited regularly for 6-mo follow-ups,and was in stable condition as of December 2022.CONCLUSION UTUC is prone to seeding and recurrence.Adjuvant instillation therapy and intense surveillance are crucial for these patients.

Immune function, gastrointestinal hormone levels, and their clinical significance in patients with gastric ulcers complicated with depression

BACKGROUND Gastric ulcer(GU)is a common digestive tract disease,and medical records of GU combined with depression are increasingly common.Currently,the risk factors and pathogenesis of GU complicated with depression remain unclear.Low immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels may also be significant risk factors.Therefore,this study explored the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels in patients with GU combined with depression.AIM To explore the immune function,gastrointestinal hormone level,and clinical significance of patients with GU combined with depression.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 300 patients with GU combined with depression admitted to Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 as the study subjects.According to the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)score,patients were divided into mild-to-moderate(n=210)and heavy(n=90)groups.Basic data,immune function indices[immunoglobulin A(IgA),IgM,IgG,serum CD4+and CD8+percentage,and CD4+/CD8+ratio],and gastrointestinal hormone indices[serum gastrin(GAS),cholecystokinin(CCK),and motilin(MTL)levels]were collected.The basic data of the two groups were compared,and the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone indices were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the severity of GU complicated with depression.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to analyze the value of the immune function index,gastrointestinal hormone index,and combined index in predicting the severity of GU complicated with depression.RESULTS There were no marked differences in sex,age,body mass index,abdominal distension,abdominal pain,belching,nausea,vomiting,or sleep disorders between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P>0.05).There was a marked difference in the family history of depression between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in serum IgA and IgM levels and serum CD4+,CD8+,and CD4+/CD8+ratios between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that IgA,IgM,GAS,and CCK serum levels influenced the severity of GU with depression(P<0.05).The AUC of the ROC curve for serum IgA level predicting GU with depression severity was 0.808[95%confidence interval(CI):0.760-0.857],the AUC of the serum IgM level was 0.757(95%CI:0.700-0.814),the AUC of the serum GAS level was 0.853(95%CI:0.810-0.897),the AUC of the serum CCK level was 0.762(95%CI:0.709-0.822),the AUC of immune function(IgA,IgM)and gastrointestinal hormone levels(GAS,CCK)for the prediction of GU with depression severity was 0.958(95%CI:0.933-0.976).CONCLUSION Important factors influencing GU complicated with depression are serum IgA,IgM,GAS,and CCK indicators.They can be used as indicators to predict the severity of GU complicated with depression.

Ability of Helicobacter pylori to internalize into Candida

The following are our views regarding the“letter to the editor”(Helicobacter is preserved in yeast vacuoles!Does Koch’s postulates confirm it?)by Alipour and Gaeini,and the response“letter to the editor”(Candida accommodates nonculturable Helicobacter pylori in its vacuole-Koch’s postulates aren’t applicable)by Siavoshi and Saniee.Alipour and Gaeini rejected the methods,results,discussion,and conclusions summarized in a review article by Siavoshi and Saniee.The present article reviews and discusses evidence on the evolutionary adaptation of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)to thrive in Candida cell vacuoles and concludes that Candida could act as a Trojan horse,transporting potentially infectious H.pylori into the stomach of humans.

Analysis of choroidal morphology and comparison of imaging findings of subtypes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy:a new classification system

AIM:To classify polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV)into 2 subtypes based on the subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)and to further evaluate their multimodal image features.METHODS:A retrospective observational case series study.Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients with PCV were enrolled and classified into 2 groups based on SFCT(thick-choroid group/thin-choroid group).Then further analyze the spectrum domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)and indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)differences of the two subtypes.Imaging analysis included measurement of SFCT,maximum vascular diameter ratio(MVDR),choroidal vascularity index(CVI),central macular thickness(CMT),and the presence of pigment epithelial detachment(PED)on SD-OCT.Polypoidal lesions(polyps)number,branching vascular network(BVN)area,greatest linear dimension(GLD),and the choroidal vascular hyperpermeability(CVH)were analyzed by ICGA.RESULTS:The distribution of SFCT was bimodal with two peaks at 195 and 285μm,and a trough at 225μm.The 225μm was taken as the cutoff point for the following classification of thick/thin choroid groups.The PCV eyes in the thick-choroid group presented with greater MVDR,CVI within 3 and 6 mm of the fovea,but lower CMT,less PED,small PED diameters on SD-OCT scans,and fewer polyps,smaller BVN and GLD,but more frequency of CVH on ICGA.CONCLUSION:The SFCT at 225μm can be used as a readily available indicator for the classification of PCV subtypes.The thick-choroid group presents much apparent enlargement of the choroidal layer and vasculature expansion,which indicates different pathogenesis of the two subtypes.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial lesions of the left main stem in a patient with congenital single left coronary artery: A case report

BACKGROUND Single coronary artery(SCA)originating from a solitary ostium in the aorta and perfusing the entire myocardium is a very rare congenital anomaly of the coronary artery.Furthermore,a right coronary artery(RCA)arising from the mid segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD)is an extremely uncommon variation of SCA.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old woman presented a 5-mo history of exertional angina.Selective coronary angiography revealed an SCA,with severe ostial stenosis that originated from the left sinus of Valsalva and bifurcated normally into the LAD and circumflex coronary artery.In addition,an anomalous RCA originated from the mid segment of the LAD as a separate branch.Successful balloon angioplasty and stenting for the SCA ostial stenosis were performed on the patient.CONCLUSION Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)of the main trunk for SCA is very similar to PCI of an unprotected left main coronary artery.Although technical difficulties and risks do exist,PCI for severe ostial stenosis of the main trunk is safe and efficacious in selected SCA patients.

FGFR/RACK1 interacts with MDM2, promotes P53 degradation, and inhibits cell senescence in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Objective:FGFR is considered an important driver gene of lung squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC).Thus,identification of the biological events downstream of FGFR is important for the treatment of this malignancy.Our previous study has shown that the FGFR/RACK1 complex interacts with PKM2 and consequently promotes glycolysis in LSCC cells.However,the biological functions of the FGFR/RACK1 complex remain poorly understood.Methods:Anchorage-independent assays and in vivo tumorigenesis assays were performed to evaluate cancer cell malignancy.Distant seeding assays were performed to evaluate cancer cell metastasis.β-gal staining was used to examine cell senescence,and immunoprecipitation assays were performed to examine the interactions among FGFR,RACK1,and MDM2.Results:FGFR/RACK1 was found to regulate the senescence of LSCC cells.Treatment with PD166866,an inhibitor of FGFR,or knockdown of RACK1 induced senescence in LSCC cells(P<0.01).A molecular mechanistic study showed that FGFR/RACK1/MDM2 form a complex that promotes the degradation of p53 and thus inhibits cell senescence.PD166866 and RG7112,an MDM2/p53 inhibitor,cooperatively inhibited the colony formation and distal seeding of LSCC cells(P<0.01),and upregulated the expression of p53 and p21.Conclusions:Together,our findings revealed the regulatory roles and mechanisms of FGFR/RACK1 in cell senescence.This understanding should be important in the treatment of LSCC.

Biventricular pacing for treating heart failure in children: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT) can be used as an escalated therapy to improve heart function in patients with cardiac dysfunction due to long-term right ventricular pacing. However, guidelines are only targeted at adults. CRT is rarely used in children.CASE SUMMARY This case aimed to implement biventricular pacing in one child with heart failure who had a left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% at 4 years after implantation of an atrioventricular sequential pacemaker due to atrioventricular block.Postoperatively, echocardiography showed atrial sensing ventricular pacing and QRS wave duration of 120-130 ms, and cardiac function significantly improved after upgrading pacemaker.CONCLUSION Patients whose cardiac function is deteriorated to a level to upgrade to CRT should be upgraded to reverse myocardial remodeling as soon as possible.

Current status of diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer in China-Analyses of Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium database

Objective:To investigate current status of diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer in China.Methods:A database was generated by Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium(CBCC).From January 2007 to December 2012,14,260 cases from 44 CBCC centers were included.Data of diagnosis,treatment and pathology were collected.Results:The average age was 63.5 year-old and most patients were male(84.3%).The most common histologic types were urothelial carcinoma(91.4%),adenocarcinoma(1.8%),and squamous carcinoma(1.9%).According to 1973 and 2004 WHO grading system,42.0%,41.0%,and 17.0% of patients were grade 1,2,and 3,and 16.0%,48.7%,and 35.3% of patients were papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential,low,and high grade,respectively.Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)and muscle invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)were 25.2% and 74.1%,respectively(0.8% not clear).Carcinoma in situ was only 2.4%.Most patients were diagnosed by white-light cystoscopy with biopsy(74.3%).Fluorescence and narrow band imaging cystoscopy had additional detection rate of 1.0% and 4.0%,respectively.Diagnostic transurethral resection(TUR)provided detection rate of 16.9%.Most NMIBCs were treated with TUR(89.2%).After initial TUR,2.6%accepted second TUR,and 45.7%,69.9%,and 58.7% accepted immediate,induced,and maintenance chemotherapy instillation,respectively.Most MIBCs were treated with radical cystectomy(RC,59.7%).Laparoscopic RCs were 35.1%,while open RC 63.4%.Extended and standard pelvic lymph node dissection were 7% and 66%,respectively.Three most common urinary diversions were orthotopic neobladder(44%),ileal conduit(31%),and ureterocutaneostomy(23%).Only 2.3% of patients accepted neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and only 18%of T3 and T4 patients accepted adjuvant chemotherapy.Conclusion:Disease characteristics are similar to international reports,while differences of diagnosis and treatment exist.This study can provide evidences for revisions of the guideline on bladder cancer in China.

Chemoprophylaxis, diagnosis, treatments, and discharge management of COVID-19: An evidence-based clinical practice guideline(updated version)

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)is the cause of a rapidly spreading illness,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),affecting more than seventeen million people around the world.Diagnosis and treatment guidelines for clinicians caring for patients are needed.In the early stage,we have issued"A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)infected pneumonia(standard version)";now there are many direct evidences emerged and may change some of previous recommendations and it is ripe for develop an evidence-based guideline.We formed a working group of clinical experts and methodologists.The steering group members proposed 29 questions that are relevant to the management of COVID-19 covering the following areas:chemoprophylaxis,diagnosis,treatments,and discharge management.We searched the literature for direct evidence on the management of COVID-19,and assessed its certainty generated recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation(GRADE)approach.Recommendations were either strong or weak,or in the form of ungraded consensus-based statement.Finally,we issued 34 statements.Among them,6 were strong recommendations for,14 were weak recommendations for,3 were weak recommendations against and 11 were ungraded consensus-based statement.They covered topics of chemoprophylaxis(including agents and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)agents),diagnosis(including clinical manifestations,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respiratory tract specimens,IgM and IgG antibody tests,chest computed tomography,chest X-ray,and CT features of asymptomatic infections),treatments(including lopinavirritonavir,umifenovir,favipiravir,interferon,remdesivir,combination of antiviral drugs,hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine,interleukin-6 inhibitors,interleukin-1 inhibitors,glucocorticoid,qingfei paidu decoction,lianhua qingwen granules/capsules,convalescent plasma,lung transplantation,invasive or noninvasive ventilation,and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)),and discharge management(including discharge criteria and management plan in patients whose RT-PCR retesting shows SARS-CoV-2 positive after discharge).We also created two figures of these recommendations for the implementation purpose.We hope these recommendations can help support healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Target migration from re-inflation of adjacent atelectasis during lung stereotactic body radiotherapy

Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) is a widely accepted option for the treatment of medically inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Herein,we highlight the importance of interfraction image guidance during SBRT.We describe a case of earlystage NSCLC associated with segmental atelectasis that translocated 15 mm anteroinferiorly due to re-expansion of the adjacent segmental atelectasis following the first fraction.The case exemplifies the importance of crosssectional image-guided radiotherapy that shows the intended target,as opposed to aligning based on rigid anatomy alone,especially in cases associated with potentially "volatile" anatomic areas.

Ureteroscopic holmium laser to transect the greater omentum to remove an abdominal drain:Four case reports

BACKGROUND Drainage tube removal is difficult when the greater omentum becomes incarcerated in the drainage tube through the side holes.Currently,known removal methods are either ineffective or will cause additional damage to the patient in a secondary operation.Ureteroscopy and the holmium laser have been used in various surgical techniques in urology,and in theory,they are expected to be a good strategy for solving the problem of tissue incarceration.CASE SUMMARY Four patients diagnosed with difficult removal of an abdominal drainage tube following abdominal surgery are reported.All patients underwent surgery to remove the incarcerated greater omentum in the drainage tube using a holmium laser and a ureteroscope,and a new 16-F drain was then placed in the abdominal or pelvic cavity.The efficacy of this technique was evaluated by intraoperative conditions,success rate,and operating time;safety was evaluated by perioperative conditions and the probability of postoperative complications.All four operations went smoothly,and the drains were successfully removed in all patients.The average operating time was 24.5 min.Intraoperatively,the average irrigation volume was 892.0 mL,the average drainage volume was 638.5 mL,and no bleeding or damage to surrounding tissues was observed.Postoperatively,the average drainage volume was 32.8 mL and the new drains were removed within 36 h.All patients were able to get out of bed and move around within 12 h.Their visual analogue pain scores were all below 3.The average follow-up duration was 12.5 mo and no complications such as fever or bleeding were noted.CONCLUSION Ureteroscopic holmium laser surgery is an effective,safe and minimally invasive technique for removing drains where the greater omentum is incarcerated in the abdominal drain.

Different compression sutures combined with intracameral air injection for acute corneal hydrops

·AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of full-thickness sutures combined with intracameral air injection(FTS-AI)versus pre-Descemet’s membrane sutures combined with intracameral air injection(PDS-AI)in the management of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus.·METHODS:The research included 8 patients(8 eyes)suffering from acute corneal hydrops caused by keratoconus.Four patients were randomly assigned to FTS-AI.And the other four were randomly assigned to PDS-AI.Corneal oedema,visual acuity,corneal thickness were assessed during follow-up.·RESULTS:The demographics,preoperative duration of symptoms and severity of corneal hydrops between the two groups were not significantly different.The mean corneal oedema resolution time after FTS-AI and PDSAI were 11±1.15 and 15±1.41 d,respectively(P=0.005).The maximum corneal thickness of the scarred region decreased in both groups at one week postoperatively(P<0.05).No obvious difference was found in the mean maximal corneal thickness between the two groups postoperatively.The BCVA improved significantly after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively.No obvious difference was found in the BCVA after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively.·CONCLUSION:FTS-AI and PDS-AI are safe and effective therapies to accelerate the resolution of corneal oedema in acute corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus.Despite faster resolution of corneal oedema in the FTS-AI group,we recommend PDS-AI to avoid potential endothelium cell damage.

COVID-19:A review of what radiologists need to know

Coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)is spreading throughout the world.Chest radiography and computed tomography play an important role in disease diagnosis,differential diagnosis,severity evaluation,prognosis prediction,therapeutic effects assessment and follow-up of patients with COVID-19.In this review,we summarize knowledge of COVID-19 pneumonia that may help improve the abilities of radiologists to diagnose and evaluate this highly infectious disease,which is essential for epidemic control and preventing new outbreaks in the short term.

SPINK1 contributes to proliferation and clonal formation of HT29 cells through Beclin1 associated enhanced autophagy

We aimed to explore the molecular mechanism that were involved in SPINK1-induced proliferation and clonogenic survival of human colorectal carcinoma(CRC)HT29 cells.Initially,we generated HT29 cells either permanently silencing or overexpressing SPINK1 protein.The results showed that SPINK1 overexpression(OE)significantly stimulated the proliferation and clonal formation of HT29 cells at the varied time points.Secondly,we found SPINK1 OE enhanced the ratio of LC3II/LC3I and the level of autophagy-related gene 5(ATG5),whereas SPINK1 knockdown(Kd)reversed the above outcome under normal culturing and/or fasting condition in the cells,indicating its role in autophagy enhancement.Moreover,LC3-GFP-transfected SPINK1-OE HT29 cells strengthened thefluorescence intensity compared with the untransfected control.Chloroquine(CQ)significantly decreased the level of autophagy in both control and SPINK1-OE HT29 cells.The autophagy inhibitors,CQ and 3-Methyladenine(3-MA),remarkably inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of SPINK1-OE HT29 cells,while ATG5 upregulation resulted in the growth of the cells,suggesting the important function of autophagy in cell’s growth.Thirdly,SPINK1-induced autophagy was independently of mTOR signaling as p-RPS6 and p-4EBP1 were activated in SPINK1-OE HT29 cells.Instead,Beclin1 up and down regulation were clearly observed in SPINK1-OE and SPINK1 Kd HT29 cells,respectively.Moreover,Beclin1 silencing apparently reduced autophagy in SPINK1-OE HT29 cells,indicating that SPINK1-induced autophagy was closely associated with Beclin1.Collectively,SPINK1-promoted proliferation and clonal formation of HT29 cells were closely associated with Beclin1 associated enhanced autophagy.The abovefindings would open a new window for probing the role of SPINK1-related autophagic signaling in the pathogenesis of CRC.