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Objective To observe the effect of up-regulation of protein kinase D2 (PKD2) expression on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LI/RI) in mice. Methods 20 C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and 40 PKD2 over-expression (PKD2+/+) mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (WS and PS groups), LI/RI group (WIR and PIR groups, the left hilum was first clamped for 1 h, then reperfused for 2 h) and the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor (2-methoxyestradiol, 2-ME) group (WIR+2ME) and (PIR+2ME) groups, 20 mg/(kg·d) 2ME was injected intraperitoneally 2 days before modeling). After 2 hours of reperfusion, the wet/dry weight ratio(W/D) of lung tissues was detected, the pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by HE staining, and the content of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in lung tissues were detected by ELISA. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA) mRNA and protein in lung tissues. Results Compared with WS group, the W/D value of the WIR group increased, the lung tissues were damaged, the content of inflammatory factors increased, and the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA mRNA and protein increased (P＜0.05). Compared with the WIR group, the PIR group W/D value decreased, lung tissue damage was reduced, inflammatory factor content decreased, HIF-1α and VEGFA mRNA and protein expression increased (P＜0.05). Compared with WIR and PIR groups, W/D values of (WIR+2ME) and (PIR+2ME) groups increased, lung tissue damage worsened, inflammatory factor content increased, HIF-1α and VEGFA mRNA and protein expression significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusions Up-regulation of PKD2 expression can improve LI/RI, and its mechanism may be related to increasing the expression of HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway.

Abstract Background Due to the high morbidity and mortality of fulminant hepatitis, early diagnosis followed by early effective treatment is the key for prognosis improvement. So far, little is known about the gene expression changes in the early stage of this serious illness. Identification of the genes related to the very early stage of fulminant hepatitis development may provide precise clues for early diagnosis. Results Balb/C mice were used for ConA injection to induce fulminant hepatitis that was confirmed by pathological and biochemical examination. After a gene chip-based screening, the data of gene expression in the liver, was further dissected by ANOVA analysis, gene expression profiles, gene network construction and real-time RT-PCR. At the very early stage of ConA-triggered fulminant hepatitis, totally 1,473 genes with different expression variations were identified. Among these, 26 genes were finally selected for further investigation. The data from gene network analysis demonstrate that two genes, MPDZ and Acsl1, localized in the core of the network. Conclusions At the early stages of fulminant hepatitis, expression of twenty-six genes involved in protein transport, transcription regulation and cell metabolism altered significantly. These genes form a network and have shown strong correlation with fulminant hepatitis development. Our study provides several potential targets for the early diagnosis of fulminant hepatitis.

Introduction: There still exist controversies about the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic and traditional open surgery., Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic versus traditional laparotomy in hepatic cystic hydatidosis., Material and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted for studies about liver hydatid surgery. After the quality assessment and relevant data extraction, the article was screened and included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software., Results: Thirteen studies included 1211 cases, 362 in the laparoscopic group, and 849 in the open surgery group. According to meta-analysis, laparoscopic surgery is superior to traditional open surgery in terms of length of hospital stay, the recovery time of gastrointestinal function, total complications, and the risk of incision infection. There were no significant differences between laparoscopic surgery and traditional open surgery in operation time, postoperative time of abdominal drainage tube removal, recurrence rate, bile leakage rate, biliary fistula rate, and residual cavity infection rate., Conclusions: Laparoscopy is superior to traditional open surgery in terms of length of hospital stay, the recovery time of gastrointestinal function, total complications, and the risk of incision infection. There was no significant difference in postoperative recurrence between laparoscopy and open surgery. In addition, we think laparoscopy can achieve the same clinical effect as laparotomy. However, the reliability and validity of our conclusion need to be verified by more randomized controlled trials (RCTs)., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Fundacja Videochirurgii.)

Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) is used as an oxidant or disinfectant in (waste)water treatment, whereas sulfite is a prevalent reducing agent to quench the excess ClO 2 . This study demonstrated that seven micropollutants with structural diversity could be rapidly degraded in the reaction between ClO 2 and sulfite under environmentally relevant conditions in synthetic and real drinking water. For example, carbamazepine, which is recalcitrant to standalone ClO 2 or sulfite, was degraded by 55%-80% in 10 s in the ClO 2 /sulfite process at 30-µM ClO 2 and 30-µM sulfite concentrations within a pH range of 6.0-11.0. Results from experiments and a kinetic model supported that chlorine monoxide (ClO · ) and sulfate radicals (SO 4 ·- ) were generated in the ClO 2 /sulfite process, while hydroxyl radical generation was insignificant. Apart from radicals, dichlorine trioxide (Cl 2 O 3 ) was generated and largely contributed to micropollutant degradation, supported by experimental results using stopped-flow spectrometry and quantum chemical calculations. The impacts of pH, sulfite dosage, and water matrix components (chloride, bicarbonate, and natural organic matter) on micropollutant abatement in the ClO 2 /sulfite process were evaluated and discussed. When treating the real potable water, the concentrations of organic (five regulated disinfection byproducts) and inorganic byproducts (chlorite and chlorate) formed in the ClO 2 /sulfite process were all below the drinking water standards. This study disclosed fundamental knowledge advancements relevant to the reaction mechanisms between ClO 2 and sulfite, and highlighed a novel process to abate micropollutants in water and wastewater., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Since December 2019, the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become the most serious public health issue. As the special population with immature immune function, newborns with COVID-19 have been reported. Newborns with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be transferred to designated hospitals for isolation treatment. An emergency transfer response plan for newborns with COVID-19 has been worked out. This plan puts forward the indications for neonatal COVID-19 transfer, organization management, protection strategies for medical staff, work procedures, and disinfection methods for transfer equipment, in order to provide guidance and suggestions for the inter-hospital transfer of suspected or confirmed neonatal COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic values of soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (sCD163) in patients with liver failure or various inflammations., Methods: Serum samples were collected from patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University from October 2013 to January 2015 for treatment of with liver diseases, including liver failure (n=38), hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver cancer (HBsAg positive) (n=40), HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis (HBsAg positive) (n=40), chronic hepatitis B (n=38), HBV carrier (n=40), fatty liver patients without HBV infection (n=40), chronic glomerulonephritis (n=38), community acquired pneumonia (n=38) and acute pancreatitis (n=38). The CD163/sCD163 was determined using commercial ELISA kits according to the manufacturer's instructions., Results: Significant decrease was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with fatty liver and HBV carrier compared with that of patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy controls, the level of sCD163 was remarkably increased in the other groups (P < 0.05). The serum sCD163 in patients with HBV-induced liver cancer showed statistical difference compared with those of the patients with fatty liver, HBV carrier, as well as those with liver failure (P < 0.05). The expression of sCD163 was remarkably elevated in patients with liver failure compared with the patients with liver cancer, HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, fatty liver, or HBV carrier (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with chronic hepatitis B, community acquired pneumonia, chronic glomerulonephritis, and acute pancreatitis (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: sCD163 is a sensitive marker protein for liver failure. The elevation of sCD163 was closely related to the progression of the liver failure. No statistical difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with inflammatory disorders, indicating sCD163 showed no organ specificity.

Background: Several cytokines have been involved in the diagnosis and prognosis for the pathogenesis and severity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) such as cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Nevertheless, the stability and reliability of these cytokines can be greatly influenced by handling and storage processes., Methods: In this study, potential utility of serum samples of a CHB cohort was evaluated to investigate several processes that might impact cytokine profiles such as temperature, storage time and number of freeze-thaw cycles. Blood samples collected from 100 patients with CHB were separated immediately and divided into two groups. In one group, samples (n=50) stored at -80 °C were subject to 1-3 freeze-thaw cycles. In the other group, samples (n=50) were stored at 4 °C and 25 °C for 3 h, 9 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7 d time points, respectively. To assess the influence of different storage conditions on cytokines, the levels of CD163, NGAL, HMGB1 and MIP-2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) kits., Results: No significant differences of these four cytokines after 1-3 repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Significant differences of NAGL levels were seen between 9 h and 7 d (P<0.05), and also in HMGB1 at 25 °C, while the other cytokines were relatively stable at the two storage temperatures over the various time points., Conclusion: This study indicated that these four cytokines remained stable within three freeze-thaw cycles and 7 d at 4 °C. No perceptible effects on CD163 and MIP-2 levels were presented under the storage condition of 7 d at room temperature, whereas the degradation of NGAL and HMGB1 were notable.

Aim: To investigate the association of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) with interferon-associated retinopathy (IAR) risk in chronic hepatitis C (CHC)., Methods: Two investigators independently searched PubMed and Embase for eligible articles published prior to December 2013; additional studies were identified by reviewing the bibliographies. Only case-control or cohort studies that evaluated the association between hypertension and/or DM and IAR incidence in CHC patients were included. IAR was characterized by the presence of cotton-wool spots and/or retinal hemorrhage, and was defined as the primary efficacy measure. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using data extracted from papers based on random-effects models., Results: Eight eligible studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The outcomes showed that patients with CHC and hypertension were at higher risk of IAR (48/189 vs 96/455, RR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.15-3.15, P < 0.05). Patients with DM receiving interferon (IFN)-based therapy for CHC infection may be at higher risk for IAR (18/72 vs 60/256, RR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.11-2.20, P < 0.05); however, the outcome was not stable. There was no significant difference in IAR risk between genotype-1-infected patients and non-genotype-1-infected patients (RR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.64-1.87, P > 0.05). Comparable incidences of IAR were also found between patients treated with pegylated interferon (PIFN) α-2a and those treated with PIFN α-2b (RR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.56-1.24, P > 0.05) and between patients treated with IFN α and those treated with PIFN α (RR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.72-1.50, P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Patients with hypertension have a higher risk of retinopathy when receiving IFN-based therapy for CHC.

Objective: To investigate the effect of miR-122 on the expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins., Methods: Anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) of two different sequences against miR-122, anti-miR-122 and LNA-antimiR-122 (Locked nucleic acid), human miR -122 (hsa-miR-122), or the negative control anti-GFP were designed and synthesized, then transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells. After 24 h and 48 h, the levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatant were determined with a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TRFIA). HBV DNA in supernatant and miR-122 in cells were measured by quantitative real-time PCR., Results: After 48 h expressions of miR-122 in the LNA-antimiR-122 and anti-miR-122 groups were significantly suppressed and lower than those in the negative control (P<0.001), while the level of miR-122 in the hsa-miR-122 group was higher than that in the negative control (P<0.001). The expression of HBeAg and HBsAg in hsa-miR-122 group was lower than that in the negative control (P<0.01) 24 h and 48 h after transfection. The expression of HBeAg and HBsAg in the anti-miR-122 group and LNA-antimiR-122 group was significantly lower than that in negative control (P>0.001). The levels of viral DNA at both time-points in the various test groups were not significantly different from those of negative control group (P>0.05)., Conclusion: miR-122 may regulate HBV antigens and potentially affect the progress of pathogenesis, which might be the new targets for treatment of HBV infection.

Objective: To investigate the influence of miR-122 on IFN-α treatment for HCV infection., Methods: Huh7.5.1 cells infected with HCV were treated with miR-122 mimics (20 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 400 nmol/L) and/or IFN-α (1000 IU/ml). The relative expression of HCV RNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Huh7.5.1 cells were treated with different amounts of HCV (107 copies, 106 copies and 105 copies) and/or IFN-α (1000 IU/ml)., Results: IFN-α suppressed the replication of HCV in a time-dependent manner, resulting in a ≊ 83% reduction of HCV at 48 h. MiR-122 mimics facilitated replication of HCV RNA in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The antiviral effect of IFN-α was inverted to levels of miR-122 mimics (20 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 400 nmol/L), (73.3% ± 3.5% compared with 84% ± 4.5%, P>0.05; 64.67% ± 5.5% compared with 84% ± 4.5%, P>0.05; 56.33% ± 5.1% compared with 84% ± 4.5%, P<0.05). The antiviral effect of IFN-α was inverted to HCV load (105 copies group compared with 107 copies group, P<0.05)., Conclusion: MiR-122 facilitates replication of HCV RNA in the cell culture system; and the expression of miR-122 may partly counteract the anti-HCV effect of IFN-α.

Objective: To explore the relationship between systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS) and severity of acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia in the high altitude., Methods: A retrospective analysis on the clinical data which involved acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia (n = 40) and without plateau erythrocythemia (n = 40) admitted from September 2006 to September 2009 was conducted. According to the unified standards, these cases were divided into plateau erythrocythemia group and no plateau erythrocythemia group. The patients in plateau erythrocythemia group were further divided into severe group and mild group according to scores of APACHEII. The data was analyzed according to the patient with (or without) SIRS, SIRS's standard indicators, diagnostic parameter and relation of severity and duration of SIRS in acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia., Results: There was significantly discrepancy between plateau erythrocythemia group and no plateau erythrocythemia group not only in the incidence of patients who developed SIRS, but also in two items of patients fulfilling or not fulfilling diagnostic criteria of SIRS (P < 0.05). There was significant statistical difference in three items of diagnostic parameter of SIRS between plateau erythrocythemia group and no plateau erythrocythemia group (P < 0.05). Significant difference in two and three diagnostic parameter was found on severity of SIRS in acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia (P < 0.05). The more severity acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia was, the longer duration of SIRS was., Conclusion: SIRS is highly correlated with the severity of SIRS in acute pancreatitis combined with plateau erythrocythemia in the high altitude.

Dysregulation of the antiapoptotic protein cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) has been proven to be associated with tumorigenesis and progress of most human cancers. However, its aberrant expression is poorly elucidated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in tumorigenesis through negatively regulating gene expression. Our study disclosed that c-FLIP was overexpressed in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and down-regulation of c-FLIP enhanced taxol-induced apoptosis. Taxol induction significantly decreased the protein level of c-FLIP. While no decrease in c-FLIP mRNA level was observed, indicating taxol decreased c-FLIP expression through a post-transcriptional mechanism. miR-512-3p was a predicted suppressor of c-FLIP and exhibited an opposite expression manner to c-FLIP before and after taxol induction. Luciferase report assay demonstrated miR-512-3p negatively regulated c-FLIP expression via a conserved miRNA-binding site in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of c-FLIP. The decrease of c-FLIP protein due to transfection of miR-512-3p further validated the inhibitory effect of miR-512-3p on c-FLIP. Additional transfection of miR-512-3p remarkably promoted taxol-induced apoptosis, confirming its involvement in apoptosis. In summary, our study disclosed a novel regulatory mechanism that down-regulation of c-FLIP by miR-512-3p contributed to taxol-induced apoptosis. Importantly, the pivotal role of miR-512-3p in determining c-FLIP abundance helps to broaden the implications for cancer therapy by developing small molecules to directly target c-FLIP at mRNA level.

Objective: To explore characteristics of the pathogenesis and progression of the acute pancreatitis (AP) in high altitude and the relationship between AP and plateau erythrocythemia., Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of AP was conducted for 103 inpatients who were admitted during 2003 and 2005 to the People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, including 12 cases of AP complicated with plateau erythrocythemia and 91 cases of AP no complicating plateau erythrocythemia. The patients were divided into a group of 57 cases living in high altitude (>3 000 m) and 46 patients in lower altitude group (<2 200 m). Clinical data of the patients were collected at admission, and liver, kidney and lung functions were determined for all patients., Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine (Cr) were significantly higher in AP complicating plateau erythrocythemia compared with AP patients without complicating plateau erythrocythemia [ALT: (160.70 + or - 19.14) U/L vs. (78.00 + or - 14.96) U/L, Cr: (135.45 + or - 11.99) micromol/L vs. (91.42 + or - 17.08) micromol/L, both P<0.05]. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) were significantly lower in AP with complication of plateau erythrocythemia than in AP without complicating plateau erythrocythemia [PaO(2): (45.10 + or - 0.40) mm Hg vs. (65.48 + or - 1.36) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa, SaO(2): 0.851 + or - 0.004 vs. 0.940 + or - 0.009, both P<0.05]. There was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)), however, their levels were higher in plateau erythrocythemia cases than those without plateau erythrocythemia [AST: (87.35 + or - 8.10) U/L vs. (83.00 + or - 18.61) U/L, BUN:(10.90 + or - 0.97) mmol/L vs. (7.37 + or - 0.98) mmol/L, PaCO(2): (33.20 + or - 0.31) mm Hg vs. (25.32 + or - 1.14) mm Hg , all P>0.05]. ALT and Cr were significantly higher in high altitude cases than those in lower altitude cases [ALT: (126.92 + or - 15.46) U/L vs. (86.00 + or - 10.23) U/L, Cr:(126.10 + or - 10.01)micromol/L vs. (101.84 + or - 5.46) micromol/L, both P<0.05]. There was no difference in AST, BUN and PaCO(2), however, the values were slightly higher in high altitude cases compared with lower altitude cases [AST: (98.70 + or - 8.10) U/L vs. (93.14 + or - 21.46) U/L, BUN: (8.15 + or - 1.00) mmol/L vs. (5.86 + or - 0.40) mmol/L, PaCO(2): (32.32 + or - 1.01) mm Hg vs. (30.12 + or - 2.76) mm Hg, all P>0.05]. There was no difference in PaO(2) and SaO(2), however, it was slightly lower in high altitude cases than lower altitude cases [PaO(2): (58.80 + or - 1.20) mm Hg vs. (66.86 + or - 3.20) mm Hg, SaO(2): 0.910 + or - 0.011 vs. 0.930 + or - 0.008, both P>0.05]., Conclusion: The results showed that the deterioration of hepatic, kidney and lung function in AP patients living in the plateau was related to high altitude and erythrocythemia.

Objective: To introduce the methods of dacron flap application and its indications in treating fracture of multiple ribs, in order to reduce the incidence of the complications of fracture displacement., Methods: From September 2006 to March 2008, 12 patients with fracture of multiple ribs were treated with absorbable rib fixed nail and dacron flap. Included 8 males and 4 females,the age was from 22 to 51 years with an average of 38.2 years,the operative time was 2 hours to 3 days after injured. All the patients were closed injury and simultaneously accompanied with significant chest pain and chest tightness. 4 cases with dyspnea, blood in sputum and blood oxygen saturation decreased. The X-ray showed 3 cases of unilateral fracture and 9 cases of bilateral rib fractures and all cases accompanied with hemopneumothorax., Results: All patients were followed up from 2 to 26 months with an average of 8 months. All the fractures healed. According to clinical criteria, pain, breathing, ribs alignment etc. to observe the effect, 10 cases got excellent result, 1 case good, 1 case poor., Conclusion: It is safe and effective to use absorbable rib fixed nails and dacron flap for treating fracture of multiple ribs and especially for the patients of osteoporosis, comminuted fracture or oblique fracture.

Objective: To develop a high-throughput diagnostic method with suspension array technique for detecting pathogenic microbes., Methods: The probes and positive controls of 56 kinds of pathogenic microbes were designed, synthesized, and used to detect pathogenic microbes with suspension array technique., Results: Fluorescence signals of 56 positive controls were higher than those of the negative controls, and there was no cross-reaction between the probes and positive controls of different microbes., Conclusion: Based on suspension array technique, the high-throughput diagnostic method may be useful in clinical detection of pathogenic microbes.

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of binding peptides on duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) replication in duck hepatocytes., Methods: Specific binding peptides to duck hepatitis B virus polymerase (DHBVP) were screened by phage display technology (PDT), then were sequenced and synthesized. Binding peptides were added into primary culture of duck hepatocytes infected with DHBV in vitro. DHBV-DNA in the cytoplasm, cell nucleus and medium supernatant was assayed over time., Results: Seven binding peptides were obtained after 3-round screening by PDT. Duck primary hepatocytes infected by DHBV were treated with above obtained binding peptides. The DHBV-DNA levels in medium supernatant and cytoplasm of duck hepatocytes treated with synthesized peptides (the 3rd and the 6th peptide) were significantly lower than those of control cells (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Specific binding peptides to DHBVP could inhibit the replication of DHBV.