Polypeptide from Moschus Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation by Inhibiting NF-κ B-ROS/NLRP3 Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the anti-inflammatory effects and potential mechanisms of polypeptide from Moschus (PPM) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 macrophages and BALB/c mice.@*METHODS@#The polypeptide was extracted from Moschus and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Subsequently, LPS was used to induce inflammation in THP-1 macrophages and BALB/c mice. In LPS-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays; the proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively; and protein and mRNA levels were measured by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. In LPS-induced BALB/c mice, the proinflammatory cytokines were measured, and lung histology and cytokines were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The SDS-PAGE results suggested that the molecular weight of purified PPM was in the range of 10-26 kD. In vitro, PPM reduced the production of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-18, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-6 and ROS in LPS-induced THP-1 macrophages (P<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated that PPM inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway by reducing protein expression of phospho-NF-κB p65, phospho-inhibitors of NF-κB (Iκ Bs) kinase α/β (IKKα/β), TXNIP, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and pro-caspase-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, qRT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of PPM on the mRNA levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced BALB/c mice, PPM reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01), decreased IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the lungs (P<0.01) and alleviated pathological injury to the lungs.@*CONCLUSION@#PPM could attenuate LPS-induced inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB-ROS/NLRP3 pathway, and may be a novel potential candidate drug for treating inflammation and inflammation-related diseases.

Recent advances of DJ-1 regulating mitochondrial function / 中国药理学通报

Dj-l is a protein encoded by PARK7 gene, a member of the peptidase C56 protein family. Defects in PARK7 gene may lead to autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson ' s disease. Dj-1 is a multifunctional protein that acts as an active androgen receptor-mediated transcriptional regulator, a REDOX sensitive molecular chaperone, an oxidative stress sensor, and it also protects neurons from oxidative stress and cell death. In addition, DJ-1 is also associated with mitochondria, energy metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis, mitophagy mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and other life processes. However, the precise function of DJ-1 protein is not well understood. This paper reviews the effect, mechanism and molecular basis of DJ-1 protein in regulating mitochondrial function, and discusses its potential value in combination with clinical diseases. It has good timeliness, necessity, innovation and science, and also helps to provide new targets and ideas for clinical drug development.

Effect of lag screw and support plate through axillary approach for the treatment of Ideberg typeⅡscapular pelvis fracture / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the effect of lag screw and support plate through axillary approach for the treatment of Ideberg typeⅡscapular pelvis fracture.@*METHODS@#From January 2016 to June 2021, 26 patients with Ideberg typeⅡglenoid fractures were treated with trans-axillary lag screw combined with supporting plate, including 15 males and 11 females. The age ranged from 21 to 75 years, with an average of (43.12±6.56) years old. The Constant-Murley Shoulder joint Scale and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score were used to evaluate the function and clinical efficacy of shoulder joint.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 19 to 42 months, with an average of (30.6±10.5) months. One year after surgery, the Constant-Murley score increased from preoperative 34.9±2.5(ranged, from 28 to 47) to 87.2±6.8(ranged, from 70 to 95). The UCLA score improved from preoperative 17.9±1.7(9 to 25) to 33.1±2.3(29 to 35). Seventeen patients got an excellent result, with 7 good, and 2 fair. None of the patients had infection, screw, and plate loosening, fracture, and other complications after surgery. Two patients had different degrees of Chronic pain in the shoulder during the follow-up period.@*CONCLUSION@#The treatment of Ideberg typeⅡscapular glenoid fractures through axillary approach with lag screws and supporting steel plates has the advantages of convenient exposure, direct visual restoration of the normal anatomical shape of the scapular glenoid, selection of suitable positions for screw and steel plate placement, achieving better treatment results, and fewer complications. It is an effective and reliable surgical method.

Research Progress of NK Cells in Immunotherapy of Glioma / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

Natural Killer （NK） cells are another type of anti-tumor immune cells with promising clinical application in addition to T cells. NK cell activity is mainly regulated by its surface receptors and immune microenvironment. The strong immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma results in low efficiency of NK cell immunotherapy. This article reviews NK cells in the immunotherapy for glioma from the interaction of glioma-NK cell， and the latest research progress of targeted NK cells compounds， monoclonal antibody， and cytokine therapy， focusing on the genetic modification of NK cells in the present situation and trend of glioma immunotherapy， and molecular mechanism of glioma cells related to immune escape. We hope this article will provide theoretical basis and new ideas for NK cell-based immunotherapy of glioma.

Research progress on ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) inhibitors for decreasing blood lipids / 药学学报

Cardiovascular disease is a principal cause of morbidity and death in the world. Although drug therapy has made great progress in the past few decades, there are still many deficiencies in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia is still a common risk feature and is not sufficiently controlled. A growing body of evidence suggests that the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease is associated with many associated risk factors, such as higher low-density lipoprotein levels, lower high-density lipoprotein levels and high triglyceride levels. A number of clinical trials in patients with dyslipidemia have shown that actively decreasing low density lipoprotein cholesterol can significantly decrease cardiovascular events. ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is a cytoplasmic homo-tetrameric enzyme. In the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ACLY catalyzes the conversion of citric acid and coenzyme A to acetyl-CoA and oxalyl acetate. ACLY is the main enzyme for the production of cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA, and cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA is the precursor required for de novo synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the production of acetyl-CoA and reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting ACLY. ACLY can be used as a molecular target for reducing blood lipids, and there are an increasing number of studies on ACLY inhibitors. In this paper, the structure and mechanism of ACLY and its relationship with lipid metabolism are briefly introduced, and we review some current ACLY inhibitors.

Resveratrol inhibits metabolism of tryptophan in human liver microsomes / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of resveratrol on the metabolism of tryptophan to kynurenine in human liver microsomes.Methods High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ( LC-MS/ MS) was used to detect the concentration of tryptophan and kynurenine in the microsome incubation system, and the incubation time, tryptophan concentration, and microsomal protein concentration were investigated respectively.The optimal tryptophan incubation system obtained above was used to explore the effect of resveratrol on the kynurenine pathway.Results The optimal incubation time of tryptophan in human liver mi-crosomes in vitro was 90 min,the concentration of tryptophan and liver microsomal protein was 8 mg • L"1 and 1 g • L"1, respectively.The enzyme reaction rate constant Km was 95.91 ±22.29 jxmol • L'1, and the maximum reaction rate V

The relationship between genotype of familial hypercholesterolemia and the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: This study intends to explore the difference in the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with different FH phenotypes by analyzing the level of blood lipids before and after treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with different allele grades. Methods: Patients with FH phenotype, who admitted to Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2019 to October 2020, were enrolled. Age, sex and other clinical information were collected from enrolled, and the pathogenic genes were detected by the second generation sequencing technique. The patients were divided into five groups according to the number of alleles involved and the degree of gene damage: single allele-null mutation group, single allele-defect mutation group, multi-allele-null mutation group, multi-allele-defect mutation group and no major pathogenic gene mutation group. The results of blood lipids were collected before medication, 4-6 weeks of intensive statin treatment and one month after combined treatment with PCSK9 inhibitor (PCSK9i). The LDL-C level were compared among groups. ASCVD risk stratification was performed in all patients, and the proportion of LDL-C level reaching the corresponding risk stratification target value of each genotype group after treatment was analyzed. Results: A total of 66 patients with FH phenotype were included, including 47 males (71.2%) and 19 females (28.8%),the mean age was(43.1±13.4 years). There were 7 cases in single allele-null mutation group (10.6%), 25 cases in single allele-defect mutation group (37.9%), 8 cases in multi-allele-null mutation group (12.1%), 18 cases in multi-allele-defect mutation group (27.3%) and 8 cases in no major pathogenic mutation group (12.1%). The degree of LDL-C reduction post combined PCSK9 inhibitor therapy was as follows: single allele mutation group>no major pathogenic mutation group>multi-allele mutation group, general distribution was in the range of 0-90.0%. Two groups of single allele mutation and no major pathogenic mutation group>50.0%>multi-allele mutation group. Under the combined treatment of PCSK9 inhibitors, the further decrease of LDL-C was in the order of single allele mutation group>non-major pathogenic mutant group>multi-allele mutation group. The efficacy of combined therapy on reducing LDL-C at 1 month after treatment decreased with the increase of baseline LDL-C level (r = 0.46, P<0.001) in patients with FH phenotype. In addition, the further decrease of LDL-C level post high-intensity statin therapy combined with PCSK9 inhibitors decreased with the increase of baseline LDL-C levels (r = 0.40, P<0.001). The degree of LDL-C decrease was high and stable by statin combined with PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in single allele mutation group. In the single allele-defect mutant group, the decrease of LDL-C increased with the increase of baseline LDL-C level post intensive statin treatment and combined PCSK9 inhibitor treatment ((r=0.54, P=0.009); r=0.45,P=0.030), and the further decrease of LDL-C level decreased with the increase of baseline LDL-C level in single allele-defect mutant group post combined therapy with PCSK9 inhibitor (r=0.43, P=0.040). The decrease of LDL-C in patients with the multi-allele mutation group varied with different pathogenic gene loci and combinations post combined therapy with PCSK9 inhibitor. There was no significant difference in the level of blood lipids between the group without major pathogenic gene mutation and the group with single allele mutation before and after treatment. The percentage of patients achieving LDL-C goals with different genotypes of phenotypic FH were as follows: single allele mutation group (86.7%), non-major pathogenic mutant group (75.0%) and multi-allele mutation grou (<5.0%). Conclusions: All patients with different FH phenotypes could benefit from the intensive lipid-lowering therapy with statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, however, there are significant differences in the efficacy of lowering LDL-C in Chinese patients with FH phenotype with different molecular etiologies. Therefore, the pathogenic gene analysis may suggest the lipid-lowering effect of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with FH.

Anti-tumor effect of CTL on colon cancer xenograft in nude mice after blockingout CTLA-4 with CRSIPR/Cas9 technology / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of CTL cells on colon cancer xenograft in nude mice after knocking out the immune check point CTLA-4 by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Methods: A specific small guide RNA (sgRNA) for CTLA-4 was designed to construct sgRNA/Cas9 plasmid, which was then transfected into CTL using a lentiviral vector to obtain CTL cells with CTLA-4 deletion (CTLA-4 KO CTL). The transfection efficiency of the plasmid and the deletion efficiency of CTLA-4 were verified. BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into two groups to prophylactically inoculate CTLA-4 KO CTL (experimental group) or CTL (control group); 3 days later, the animals of two groups were inoculated with colon cancer cell line LS174-T to observe the tumor formation rate and tumor formation time. After constructing colon cancer xenograft model in nude mice, the animals were randomly divided into two groups, respectively treated with CTLA-4 KO CTL (experimental group) and CTL (control group) cells to observe the tumor growth volume and survival time of mice. The serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in nude mice were detected. Results: sgRNAwas designed and CRSIPR/Cas9 system with lentivirus as vector was successfully constructed. CTL cells were transfected with the established CRSIPR/ Cas9 system, and the highest transfection efficiency was up to (28.80±0.62)%. After transfection, the deletion efficiency of CTLA-4 was detected by Flow cytometry. The CTLA-4 expression of CTLA-4 KO CTL group was significantly lower than that of CTL group [(0.91±0.25)% vs (42.70±2.72)%, P<0.05]. In prophylactic assay, the formation rate of colon cancer xenografts in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(33.33%vs100%,P<0.05). In treatment assay, the tumor volume in the experimental group was significantly inhibited compared with the control group ([503±23.9] vs [911.2±51.4] mm3, P<0.05), and the survivaltimeoftheexperimentalgroupwassignificantlyprolonged (mediansurvivaltime:78dvs42d,P<0.05); Moreover, the secretion levels of serumTNF-α([268.93±17.04]pg/mlvs[148.26±20.07]pg/ml,P<0.05) and IFN-γ(315.38±18.67 pg/ml vs 202.92±29.32 pg/ml, P<0.05) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions: The lentiviral vector CRSIPR/Cas9 system is an effective gene editing method; its successful deletion of CTLA-4 in CTL cells can significantly inhibit the tumor formation rate of colon cancer xenografts in nude mice and enhance the anti-tumor effect of CTLon colon cancer xenografts.

MicroRNA-206 Reduces Osteosarcoma Cell Malignancy In Vitro by Targeting the PAX3-MET Axis

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to explore how miR-206 represses osteosarcoma (OS) development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression levels of miR-206, PAX3, and MET mRNA were explored in paired OS and adjacent tissue specimens. A patient-derived OS cell line was established. miR-206 overexpression and knockdown were achieved by lentiviral transduction. PAX3 and MET overexpression were achieved by plasmid transfection. Treatment with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was utilized to activate c-Met receptor. Associations between miR-206 and PAX3 or MET mRNA in OS cells were verified by AGO2-RNA immunoprecipitation assay and miRNA pulldown assay. OS cell malignancy was evaluated in vitro by cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis assays. PAX3 and MET gene expression in OS cells was assayed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Activation of PI3K-AKT and MAPK-ERK in OS cells were assayed by evaluating Akt1 Ser473 phosphorylation and total threonine phosphorylation of Erk1/2, respectively. RESULTS: Expression levels of miR-206 were significantly decreased in OS tissue specimens, compared to adjacent counterparts, and were inversely correlated with expression of PAX3 and MET mRNA. miR-206 directly interacted with PAX3 and MET mRNA in OS cells. miR-206 overexpression significantly reduced PAX3 and MET gene expression in OS cells in vitro, resulting in significant decreases in Akt1 and Erk1/2 activation, cell proliferation, and metastasis, as well as increases in cell apoptosis, while miR-206 knockdown showed the opposite effects. The effects of miR-206 overexpression on OS cells were reversed by PAX3 or MET overexpression, but only partially attenuated by HGF treatment. CONCLUSION: miR-206 reduces OS cell malignancy in vitro by targeting PAX3 and MET gene expression.

The expression and correlation of BMI1 gene in gastrointestinal stromal tumor / 医学研究生学报

Objective The role of BMI1 gene in the development of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to explore the expression of BMI1 gene in gastrointestinal stromal tumor,and analyze its relationship with clinical pathological features of GIST. Methods The clinical data of 68 GIST patients treated in The First People's Hospital of Nan-ning from August 2012 to October 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The expression of BMI1 in normal gastrointestinal tissues and GIST tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry method,and analyzed the relationship between various clinicopathological pa-rameters of GIST and BMI1. The expression of BMI1 protein was detected by Western blot. Results The positive rate of BMI1 was much higher in GIST group than in non-GIST (76.47% vs 36.84%,P<0.05). The difference in the expression of BMI1 protein between the different risk groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The positive expression rate was the highest in the high-risk group (93.75%),but had no statistically significant difference among different genders,age,locations,histological types and whether me-tastasis (P>0.05). Expression of proliferation genes such as PCNA,CyclinD1 mRNA in BMI1 positive group were higher than those in BMI1 negative group,the expression of Pro-apoptotic genes such as Caspase-7,Smac mRNA were lower than those in BMI1 negative group,the expression of anti-apoptosis genes such as Livin,p53,Bcl-2 mRNA were higher than those in BMI1 negative group (P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of BMI1 protein was increased in GIST tissue. It is correlated with the risk classification,and is an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients.

Construction and maintenance of the pharmacy intravenous admixture service / 中国医学装备

Objective: The construct a pharmacy intravenous admixture service (PIVAS) for changing configuration of intravenous drugs from decentralized configuration to centralized allocation supply so as to guarantee the safety of clinical drugs of hospital. Methods: Through constructed PIVAS, adopted purified air-condition system and established fluid-layers room of different grade to achieve sterile environment for configuration of intravenous drugs. And the centralized allocation should be implemented as the characteristics of different drugs. Results: The PIVAS could reduce the waste of drugs and decrease their cost. At the same time, it guaranteed the safety of clinical medication of hospital on the bases of enhancing work efficiency of clinical nurse and reasonably resolving allocation of human resources. Conclusion: The PIVAS that changes the configuration of intravenous drugs from decentralized configuration to centralized allocation supply can positively and effectively promote the safety of clinical medication and increase work efficiency of nursing and care.

Genetic and epigenetic predispositions underlying cardiovascular outcomes among patients treated with clopidogrel and aspirin / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Coronary artery disease (CAD)is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, and consumes a considerable amount of medical resources every year.Clopidogrel is a first-line antiplate-let therapy for CHD, butit is associated with substantial variability in PK and pharmacodynamics re-sponse. To date, gene variants explain only a smallproportion of the variability.The study aimed to identify new genetic loci-modifying antiplatelet response to clopidogrel in Chinese patients with CAD by a systematic analysis combining antiplatelet effects and PK, and further to investigate the PON1 gene promoter DNA methylation and genetic variations possibly influencing clinical outcomes in pa-tients undergoing PCI. We identified novel variants in two transporter genes (SLC14A2rs12456693, ATP-binding cassette [ABC]A1 rs2487032) and in N6AMT1 (rs2254638) associated with P2Y12 reac-tion unit (PRU) and plasma active metabolite (H4) concentration. These new variants dramatically im-proved the predictability of PRU variability to 37.7％. The associations between these loci and PK pa-rameters of clopidogrel and H4 were observed in additional patients, and its function on the activation of clopidogrel was validated in liver S9 fractions (P<0.05). Rs2254638 was further identified to exert a marginal risk effect formajor adverse cardiac events in an independent cohort.Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that PON1methylation level at CpG site-161 (OR=0.95; 95％ CI=0.92–0.98;P<0.01)and the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(OR=0.48;95％ CI=0.26–0.89;P<0.01) were associated with decreased risk of bleeding events. In conclusion, new genetic variants were systematically identified as risk factors for the reduced efficacy of clopidogrel treatment.The ab-normal expression of DNA methylation-regulating key genes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacody-namics pathways of clopidogrel and aspirin may modify clinical outcomes in dual antiplatelet-treated pa-tients undergoing PCI.

Focused low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Preliminary observation of 32 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To make a preliminary investigation on the safety and efficacy of focused low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We treated 32 ED patients by focused LI-ESWT with the device of Medispec's ED1000. Before and at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment, we evaluated the erectile function of the patients using the International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function domain (IIEF-EF), Erection Hardness Score (EHS), Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3 (SEP2 and SEP3), and Global Assessment Questionnaire questions 1 and 2 (GAQ1 and GAQ2), and recorded the incidence rate of adverse events.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients averaged 30.69 years of age. Compared with the baseline, the mean IIEF-EF score of the patients was significantly increased at 4 and 12 weeks after LI-ESWT (14.94 vs 20.97 and 21.47, P <0.01), and so were the EHS (1.75 vs 2.66 and 2.56, P <0.01) and the "Yes" answers to SEP2 (21.88% vs 68.75% and 71.88%), SEP3 (0 vs 43.75% and 56.25%), GAQ1 (NA vs 81.25% and 71.88%) and GAQ2 (NA vs 65.63% and 68.75%). The total effectiveness rates at 4 weeks and 12 weeks were 75% and 71.88% respectively. One of the patients felt penile shaft pain with mild ecchymosis after LI-ESWT but was recovered without special treatment a week later.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LI-ESWT can significantly improve the erectile function of ED patients with no obvious adverse effects within 12 weeks after treatment.</p>

Posterior debridement, interbody fusion, internal fixation for treatment of lumbar discitis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of posterior debridement, interbody fusion with internal fixation in the treatment of lumbar discitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 13 patients with lumbar discitis treated from January 2005 to June 2012 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 4 females, aged from 31 to 68 years old with an average of 56 years old. There were 2 cases on L3, 4, 4 cases on L4, 5, and 7 cases on L5S1. Two cases complicated with diabetes, 4 cases with hypertension, and 1 case with obsolete pulmonary tuberculosis. ESR level of 13 cases was 12-89 mm/h with an average of 42 mm/h; and C reactive protein fluctuations level was level 8-114 ng/L with an average of 47 ng/L. All the patients denied history of operation or injection, and the main symptom was severe pain and limitation of motion in lumbar, with no efficacy for conservative methods. Preoperative VAS was from 5 to 10 points with an average of 7.8 points. All patients were treated with posterior debridement, interbody fusion, and internal fixation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients left hospital after wound healing, and the effective antibiotics were continuously used for 4 weeks intravenously and 2 weeks for orally. All patients were followed up from 7 to 24 months with an average of 18 months. VAS decreased for 0-1 point. No internal fixation breakage, and recurrence were found. Bone graft got fusion, and postoperative pathology showed phlogistic changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>One-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with internal fixation was an effective method in treating lumbar discitis, and it lead to quicker relived pain relief and earlier mobilization.</p>

8.5/11.5F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory hematospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical application value of 8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory hematospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 78 cases of refractory hematospermia diagnosed and treated by 8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy from June 2012 to June 2014. The patients underwent serum PSA examination, transrectal ultrasonography, seminal vesicle ultrasonography, and pelvis CT or MRI before surgery, and all received transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy under the 8.5/11.5 F rigid ureteroscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Operations were all successfully accomplished, which revealed abnormal opening of the ejaculatory duct in 5 cases, mucosal inflammatory hyperemia in the prostatic utricle and seminal vesicle in 78, dark red mucilage substance in the seminal vesicle in 34, seminal vesicle stones in 19, small polyp in the seminal vesicle in 2, and ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicle cyst in 4. All the patients received symptomatic treatment during the surgery. After surgery, hematouria was found in 13 cases, which disappeared within 2 weeks, pelvic hematoma in 1 case, which was cured by conservative treatment within 3 months, and epididymitis in 2 cases, which was controlled by anti-infection treatment. Hematospermia recurred in 3 cases during the 1-year postoperative follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>8.5/11.5 F transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy, with its advantages of easy operation, wide field of vision, large channel for operation, and few complications, deserves general clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory hematospermia.</p>

5'-flanking regulatory sequence methylation of the Boule gene in the testis tissue of infertile men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence methylation status of the Boule gene in the testis tissue of infertile men with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected biopsy samples of the testis tissue from 12 men with obstructive azoospermia (the control group) and 15 cases of SCOS, all without varicocele, cryptorchidism, or infectious disease. We extracted genomic DNA from the testis tissue of the SCOS patients, analyzed the characteristics of the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence of the Boule gene using the bioinformatics method, and detected the methylation status of the Boule gene by sodium bisulfite sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A CpG island was observed in the 5'-flanking regulation region of the Boule gene. The methylation level of the Boule gene was remarkably higher in the SCOS group than in the obstructive azoospermia controls (61.4% vs 21.7%, P<0.01), with significant differences in the methylation levels of 14 CpG sites, namely, －58 bp, －50 bp, －48 bp, －38 bp, －28 bp, －24 bp, －20 bp, －15 bp, －1 bp, +5 bp, +8 bp, +15 bp, +29 bp, and +58 bp.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The methylation level of the Boule gene is significantly higher in the SCOS patients than in the obstructive azoospermia males, which suggests that the changes in Boule methylation may be associated with spermatogenic dysfunction.</p>

Levels of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for evaluating pulmonary bacterial infection in patients with lupus erythematosus / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pulmonary bacterial infection varies widely. We investigated the significance of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in evaluating the severity of pulmonary infection in SLE patients. This retrospective study contained a total of 117 patients (107 women and 10 men) with SLE from January 2010 to June 2011. Serum levels of PCT and CRP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of pulmonary bacterial infection (PBI) was evaluated using the pneumonia severity index (PSI). SLE patients with PBI, particularly those with bacterial isolates, had significantly higher levels of serum PCT and CRP than those without PBI. Serum PCT and CRP were not associated with SLE disease activity, but positively with the values of PSI in active SLE patients with PBI. Serum levels of PCT and CRP may be additional biomarkers in evaluating the severity of PBI in lupus patients.

Protease inhibitor in scorpion (Mesobuthus eupeus) venom prolongs the biological activities of the crude venom / 中国天然药物

It is hypothesized that protease inhibitors play an essential role in survival of venomous animals through protecting peptide/protein toxins from degradation by proteases in their prey or predators. However, the biological function of protease inhibitors in scorpion venoms remains unknown. In the present study, a trypsin inhibitor was purified and characterized from the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which enhanced the biological activities of crude venom components in mice when injected in combination with crude venom. This protease inhibitor, named MeKTT-1, belonged to Kunitz-type toxins subfamily. Native MeKTT-1 selectively inhibited trypsin with a Kivalue of 130 nmol·L(-1). Furthermore, MeKTT-1 was shown to be a thermo-stable peptide. In animal behavioral tests, MeKTT-1 prolonged the pain behavior induced by scorpion crude venom, suggesting that protease inhibitors in scorpion venom inhibited proteases and protect the functionally important peptide/protein toxins from degradation, consequently keeping them active longer. In conclusion, this was the first experimental evidence about the natural existence of serine protease inhibitor in the venom of scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus, which preserved the activity of venom components, suggests that scorpions may use protease inhibitors for survival.

Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation Assisted by Bi-planar Device: An Exploratory Feasibility Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A single drilled tunnel from the lateral mastoid cortex to the cochlea via the facial recess is essential for minimally invasive cochlear implant surgery. This study aimed to explore the safety profile of this kind of new image-guided and bi-planar device-assisted surgery procedure in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Image-guided minimally invasive cochlear implantations were performed on eight cadaveric temporal bone specimens. The main procedures were: (1) temporal bone specimens were prepared for surgery and fiducial markers were registered. (2) computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for future reference. (3) CT scan images were processed and drill path was planned to minimize cochlear damage. (4) bi-planar device-assisted drilling was performed on the specimens using the registration. (5) surgical safety was evaluated by calculating the deviation between the drill and the planned paths, and by measuring the closest distance between the drilled path and critical anatomic structures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight cases were operated successfully to the basal turn of the cochlear with intact facial nerves (FNs). The deviations from target points and entrance points were 0.86 mm (0.68-1.00 mm) and 0.44 mm (0.30-0.96 mm), respectively. The angular error between the planned and the drilled trajectory was 1.74° (1.26-2.41°). The mean distance from the edge of the drilled path to the FN and to the external canal was 0.60 mm (0.35-0.83 mm) and 1.60 mm (1.30-2.05 mm), respectively. In five specimens, the chorda tympani nerves were well preserved. In all cases, no injury happened to auditory ossicles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This exploratory study demonstrated the safety of the newly developed image-guided minimally invasive cochlear implantation assisted by the bi-planar device and established the operational procedures. Further, more in vitro experiments are needed to improve the system operation and its safety.</p>

Study on change rule of 6 ester-type alkaloids in process of Heishunpian / 中国中药杂志

To study the variation of six ester-type alkaloids and characteristic fingerprints in the process from Radix Aconite Lateralis to Heishunpian and lay a foundation for the study of the processing principle of Heishunpian, HPLC. analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile and 40 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 10 with concentrated ammonia water) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 235 nm. The flow rate was set at 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10-20 microL. Six ester-type alkaloids were determined and characteristic fingerprints of the process were established. As the process continues, the contents of diester diterpene alkaloids were decreased step by step, while the contents varia tion of monoester diterpene alkaloids were not obvious. Each sample showed significant difference in characteristic fingerprints. With the exception of 6 known monoester diterpene alkaloids and diester diterpene alkaloids, 13 peaks were marked in the characteristic fingerprints, of which the total change rule of the other 7 unknown peaks were similar with 3 diester diterpene alkaloids. The established method is accurate, reliable and repeatable, and can provide reference for revealing change rule of index components and illuminating processing principle in the process of Heishunpian.