Computed tomography imaging features for amyloid dacryolith in the nasolacrimal excretory system: A case report

BACKGROUNDNasolacrimal duct obstruction leading to epiphora is a common ophthalmologic complaint, and it may derive from amyloidosis in rare cases. There are a few reports about localized amyloidosis, and amyloidosis with involvement and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is exceedingly rare. CASE SUMMARYA 54-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a lump overlying the left lacrimal sac that had grown rapidly for nearly half a year. Physical examination touched a firm lump in the left lacrimal sac. Nasal endoscopy discovered lesions in appearance of sediments with easy bleeding at the entry of the nasolacrimal duct of the left inferior nasal meatus. Computerized tomography scan revealed speckle high density in the left lacrimal sac and the dilated nasolacrimal duct. During an endoscopic exploration and excision, a large number of dacryoliths were exposed. Pathology indicated amorphous pink material and multinucleated giant cell reaction in the fibrous tissue.CONCLUSIONThis case showed amyloidosis in localized form mimicking dacryolith with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In clinical practice, we should be aware of the possibility of localized amyloidosis in the nasolacrimal excretory system.     

Helicobacter pylori induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric carcinogenesis via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a main risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in the development and progression of H. pylori-associated GC. However, the exact molecular mechanism of this process remains unclear. The AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway has been demonstrated to promote EMT in several types of cancer. The present study investigated whether H. pylori infection induced EMT, and promoted the development and metastasis of cancer in the normal gastric mucosa, and whether this process was dependent on AKT activation. The expression levels of the EMT-associated proteins, including E-cadherin and N-cadherin, were determined in 165 gastric mucosal samples of different disease stages by immunohistochemical analysis. The expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, AKT, phosphorylated (p-)AKT (Ser473), GSK3β and p-GSK3β (Ser9) were further determined in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbil gastric tissues and cells co-cultured with H. pylori by immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting. The results indicated that the expression levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin were decreased, whereas the expression levels of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin were increased during gastric carcinogenesis. Their expression levels were associated with H. pylori infection. Furthermore, H. pylori infection resulted in downregulation of E-cadherin expression and upregulation of N-cadherin expression in Mongolian gerbils and GES-1 cells. In addition, an investigation of the associated mechanism of action revealed that p-AKT (Ser473) and p-GSK3β (Ser9) were activated in GES-1 cells following co-culture with H. pylori. Furthermore, following pretreatment of the cells with the AKT inhibitor VIII, the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, p-AKT and p-GSK3β did not show significant differences between GES-1 cells that were co-cultured with or without H. pylori. The levels of p-AKT and p-GSK3β were increased in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that H. pylori infection activated AKT and resulted in the phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3β, which in turn promoted early stage EMT. These effects were AKT-dependent. This mechanism may serve as a prerequisite for GC development.     

热疗对肿瘤免疫微环境中免疫细胞及免疫相关细胞因子的影响

随着对肿瘤热疗和肿瘤免疫微环境(TIME)的深入研究,近年来热疗对TIME的作用越来越受到学者们的重视。本文就目前国内外研究进展,对热疗与TIME中几类主要免疫细胞和免疫相关细胞因子的影响及作用机制作一综述。全面而透彻的了解热疗对TIME的调控作用,有助于为肿瘤治疗提供新的思路和方法。     

针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验方案关键点设计的思考＊

肠易激综合征（Irritable bowel syndrome，IBS）是临床常见病、多发病，其治疗方法丰富，但部分患者疗效欠佳，发展成难治性IBS。目前国内外关于针灸治疗难治性IBS的临床随机对照试验尚不多见。本文立足试验方案设计的“PICOS”原则，从研究对象及诊断标准、干预措施、对照措施、结局指标四个方面入手，重点探讨针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验设计的关键要点。从选择特色优势病种、明确诊断标准、制定符合临床实际的干预方案、运用符合目标的安慰针刺、结合研究设计和目的选定结局指标几个角度，阐述试验相关环节设计的原因和思考。     

Toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) to THP-1 macrophages: interactions with saturated or unsaturated free fatty acids

In a biological microenvironment, free fatty acids (FFA) as ubiquitous biological molecules might interact with nanoparticles (NPs) and consequently change the toxicological responses. However, whether the chemical structures of FFA could influence their interactions with NPs remain unknown. This study investigated the interactions between ZnO NPs and saturated or unsaturated FFA (complexed to BSA), namely stearic acid (SA, C18:0), oleic acid (OA, C18:1), and α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3). It was shown that BSA, SA, OA, and ALA increased the atomic force microscope (AFM) heights as well the polydispersity index (PDI) of ZnO NPs. BSA modestly protected THP-1 macrophages from ZnO NP exposure, whereas OA and ALA led to relatively less cyto-protective effects of BSA. Moreover, only co-exposure to ZnO NPs and SA significantly promoted the release of interleukin-8. BSA, SA, OA, and ALA equally changed intracellular ROS and Zn ions associated with ZnO exposure, but co-exposure to ZnO NPs and OA/ALA particularly activated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-apoptosis genes. In combination, these results showed that FFA could influence the colloidal aspects and toxicological signaling pathway of ZnO NPs, which is dependent on the number of unsaturated bonds of FFA.     

黄石、荆门地区产妇母乳喂养自我效能影响因素分析

目的 探究黄石、荆门地区产后妇女母乳喂养自我效能的现状及影响因素,为改善母乳喂养率提供更多理论依据。方法 对2017年12月—2018年3月在湖北省黄石市、荆门市的三所医院住院分娩的产妇进行问卷调查,获得产妇社会人口特征、孕产相关资料、母乳喂养相关情况。采用多元线性回归分析母乳喂养自我效能的影响因素。结果 共1 023名产妇纳入分析,平均年龄(29.0±5.7)岁。已婚占98.3%,初产占54.0%,大专及以上学历占53.9%。研究对象的母乳喂养自我效能平均得分为(45.5±12.3)分。多元线性回归的结果显示:当前不存在乳腺问题(B=2.08,P=0.036)、有母乳喂养经历(B=3.62,P<0.001)、家人提供母乳喂养指导或经验(B=3.20,P=0.001)、丈夫支持母乳喂养(B=5.87,P=0.001)及产后30 min内有医护母乳喂养帮助(B=3.02,P=0.003)的产妇母乳喂养自我效能得分更高。结论 产后妇女的母乳喂养自我效能可能与其健康状况、母乳喂养经历、社会支持及母乳喂养卫生服务有关。应对产后妇女提供广泛的社会支持,加强母乳喂养卫生服务提供,以提高其母乳喂养的自我效能,促进母乳喂养。     

Lucio phenomenon mimicking antiphospholipid syndrome: The occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a leprosy patient

Lucio phenomenon is an atypical reaction of leprosy, characterized by vasculitic lesions that can mimic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) clinically. Distinguishing the two can be difficult as antiphospholipid autoantibodies may be present in patients with leprosy. We report on a 32‐year‐old female patient presenting with a sudden onset of fever, hemorrhagic bullae, and skin necrosis on her lower legs. She was treated for APS due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies but had an inadequate response. A skin biopsy revealed thrombotic vasculopathy and necrotizing vasculitis associated with aggregation of foam cells in the perivascular area and subcutis, with acid‐fast bacilli in the histiocytes and blood vessel walls. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgM, C3, and fibrinogen deposition in the superficial and deep dermal blood vessels. The pathology confirmed the diagnosis of Lucio phenomenon, and appropriate therapy was given. It is essential to evaluate the patient comprehensively, including clinical, serological, and pathological aspects, to obtain the correct diagnosis.     

8种寄生虫病例分析

本文报道并分析8例寄生虫病例,其中包括脑裂头蚴病、眼部裂头蚴病、肺吸虫幼虫移行症、肺吸虫病、钩虫病、肝吸虫病、包虫病和广州管圆线虫病各1例。8例寄生虫病均有不同程度的误诊,其中6例在寄生虫抗体筛查检测阳性后得以确诊。因此,寄生虫病应引起临床医生的重视,抗体筛查有助于发现寄生虫病例。     

新型管理模式在护理实习教学管理中的应用探讨

目的探讨在进行护理实习教学管理期间新型管理模式应用可行性。方法选择我院2018年1月-2019年2月102例实习护生作为试验对象;数字奇偶法分组后探究每组教学管理模式;对照组(51名):选择传统护理教学管理模式展开;试验组(51名):选择新型护理教学管理模式展开;比较两组护实习护生行为规范合格率、平均业务学习出勤率以及教学满意度评分结果。结果试验组实习护生规范合格率(98.04%)高于对照组(64.71%)(P<0.05);试验组实习护生平均业务学习出勤率(98.04%)高于对照组(62.75%)(P<0.05);试验组实习护生各项教学满意度评分均高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论医院实习护生在接受新型护理实习教学管理后,对于规范合格率的提升,平均业务学习出勤率的提升以及教学满意度评分的提升,均获得显著效果,最终为医院实习护生的学习效率以及护理安全提升奠定了基础。