Cardiac Denervation for Arrhythmia Treatment with Transesophageal Ultrasonic Strategy in Canine Models

Stellate ganglion (SG) modification has been investigated for arrhythmia treatment. In this study, transesophageal SG imaging and intervention were explored using a homemade 30F integrated focused ultrasonic catheter in healthy mongrel canines in vivo. Anatomic details of SGs were ultrasonically imaged and evaluated. SG had a heterogeneous echoic structure and characteristic profiles sketched by hyper-echoic outlines in an ultrasonogram. Left SGs in the experimental group were successfully ablated through the esophagus under ultrasonic guidance provided by the catheter itself. Two weeks after the ablation, the QT and QTc of the experimental group decreased compared with those of the sham group and at baseline (both p values < 0.001). Histologic examination revealed that left SGs were destroyed. No major complications were observed. This approach may be further explored as a method for ganglia remodeling evaluation and as a strategy of ganglia modification for arrhythmia and for other diseases.     

Elevated serum levels of Interleukin‐37 are associated with inflammatory cytokines and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Interleukin‐37 (IL‐37) is closely associated with several inflammatory diseases. However, the role of IL‐37 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between serum levels of IL‐37 and disease activity, inflammatory cytokines, and bone loss in patients with RA. Serum cytokines levels were examined by Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Radiographic bone erosion was assessed using the van der Heijde‐modified Sharp score and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA. Serum IL‐37 levels in RA patients were significantly higher than those in HCs (p < 0.001), and were significantly positively correlated with clinical parameters of disease activity and serum levels of IL‐17 and IL‐23. In addition, serum IL‐37 levels were significantly higher in patients with stage IV of radiographic bone erosion than those with stage III and stage I–II, and they were significantly higher in those with osteopenia and osteoporosis than in those with normal BMD. Our results suggest that serum IL‐37 levels were increased in patients with RA and were positively associated with disease activity, IL‐17/IL‐23 and bone loss in RA, suggesting that IL‐37 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of RA.     

Hair shaft miRNA‐221 levels as a new tumor marker of malignant melanoma

miRNA‐221 (miR‐221) is known to be abnormally expressed in many human cancers. The serum levels of miR‐221 have been reported as a tumor marker for malignant melanoma (MM). We hypothesized that the hair shaft miR‐221 levels may be increased in patients with MM. We therefore assessed the possibility that hair shaft miR‐221 levels could be a marker for MM. The hair shaft miR‐221 levels were significantly higher in patients with MM than controls. The rates of increased hair shaft miR‐221 levels above the cut‐off value were comparable to those of serum 5‐S‐CD, which is a tumor marker commonly used for MM. Measurements of the hair shaft miR‐221 levels could have potential clinical value in the detection of MM. This is the first report investigating the hair shaft levels of an miRNA in patients with MM. Our investigations offer new insight into the relationship between miR‐221 and MM, and may provide a new, non‐invasive way to screen for melanoma.     

尿干化学法和离心沉渣镜检法检测穿刺羊水母体细胞污染的应用

目的　探讨一种快速简便鉴别羊水母血污染的方案。方法　选取30 例2019 年6~10 月羊水穿刺样本, 检测 羊水及母血DNA，将母血DNA 污染量换算对应体积全血量建立羊水母血DNA 污染梯度模型，运用尿干化学法及离 心沉渣镜检法检测母血污染情况。结果　羊水母血DNA 污染率为5%，10%，20% 和30%，尿干化学法检出率分别为 16.67%，60%，100% 和100%；离心沉渣镜检法检出率分别为60%，100%，100% 和100%。结论　尿干化学法及离心 沉渣镜检法联合检测可更简便快捷地进行羊水母血污染鉴定，检出率与母血DNA 污染率呈正比关系。     

T3、T4期结直肠癌淋巴结转移危险因素分析

目的探讨T3、T4期结直肠癌患者淋巴结转移危险因素,为临床诊疗提供参考。方法回顾性分析2008年1月至2017年12月在空军军医大学西京消化病医院行结直肠癌根治术的1112例T3、T4期结直肠癌患者的临床病理资料,分析淋巴结转移状态与临床病理因素及肿瘤标志物的相关性,应用logistic多因素回归法分析淋巴结转移的相关危险因素。结果单因素分析结果显示,性别、年龄、肿瘤部位分层的结直肠癌患者间淋巴结转移率差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05),淋巴结转移率在不同肿瘤长径[<5 cm和≥5 cm分别为37.75%(211/559)、52.26%(289/553),χ^2=23.666,P<0.01]、大体类型[浸润、溃疡、蕈伞、隆起分别为37.04%(20/54)、47.52%(432/909)、34.33%(23/67)、69.51%(57/82),χ^2=13.787,P=0.003]、分化程度[高、中、低分化分别为34.11%(102/299)、49.00%(317/647)、48.80%(81/166),χ^2=19.771,P<0.01]、错配修复缺陷(dMMR)[是和否分别为26.34%(64/243)、50.17%(436/869),χ^2=43.996,P<0.01]、神经侵犯[是和否分别为48.17%(421/874)、33.20%(79/238),χ^2=16.954,P<0.01]、脉管侵犯[是和否分别为79.16%(338/427)、23.65%(162/685),χ^2=327.493,P<0.01]以及术前癌胚抗原(CEA)[阳性(≥5 mg/ml)和阴性(<5 mg/ml)分别为52.87%(249/471)、39.16%(251/641),χ^2=20.162,P<0.01]和CA199[阳性(≥35 U/ml)和阴性(<35 U/ml)分别为59.33%(124/209)、41.64%(376/903),χ^2=21.465,P<0.01]分层患者间差异均有统计学意义。logistic多因素回归分析显示,脉管侵犯和术前CA199阳性是T3、T4期结直肠癌患者淋巴结转移独立危险因素(OR=13.006,95%CI 9.329~17.276,P<0.01;OR=2.194,95%CI 1.513~3.181,P<0.01),dMMR阳性是淋巴结转移的保护性因素(OR=0.279,95%CI 0.190~0.411,P<0.01)。结论脉管侵犯是T3、T4期结直肠癌患者淋巴结转移的主要危险因素。术前肿瘤标志物CA199的检测可以作为预测T3、T4期结直肠癌患者淋巴结转移状态的指标,一定程度上可为诊疗方案的制订提供参考。     

抗信号识别颗粒抗体阳性肌病伴心脏损害1例

1临床资料患者,男,43岁,因"四肢近端肌肉无力9个月,加剧1周"于2013年9月22日入院。患者于9个月前无明显诱因下出现四肢肌肉无力,以近端肌力减退为主,主要表现为上楼梯费力,提重物困难,易疲劳,尚可参加工作,无发热、皮疹、肌痛、感觉异常等,无明显晨轻暮重的波动现象,上述症状逐渐加重,劳动耐量和日常生活能力进行性下