Application of absorbable anchor combined with Kirschner wire in reconstruction of extension function of old mallet finger / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of absorbable anchor combined with Kirschner wire fixation in the reconstruction of extension function of old mallet finger.@*METHODS@#Between January 2020 and January 2022, 23 cases of old mallet fingers were treated. There were 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 42 years (range, 18-70 years). The cause of injury included sports impact injury in 12 cases, sprain in 9 cases, and previous cut injury in 2 cases. The affected finger included index finger in 4 cases, middle finger in 5 cases, ring finger in 9 cases, and little finger in 5 cases. There were 18 patients of tendinous mallet fingers (Doyle type Ⅰ), 5 patients were only small bone fragments avulsion (Wehbe type ⅠA). The time from injury to operation was 45-120 days, with an average of 67 days. The patients were treated with Kirschner wire to fix the distal interphalangeal joint in a mild back extension position after joint release. The insertion of extensor tendon was reconstructed and fixed with absorbable anchors. After 6 weeks, the Kirschner wire was removed, and the patients started joint flexion and extension training.@*RESULTS@#The postoperative follow-up ranged from 4 to 24 months (mean, 9 months). The wounds healed by first intention without complications such as skin necrosis, wound infection, and nail deformity. The distal interphalangeal joint was not stiff, the joint space was good, and there was no complication such as pain and osteoarthritis. At last follow-up, according to Crawford function evaluation standard, 12 cases were excellent, 9 cases were good, 2 cases were fair, and the good and excellent rate was 91.3%.@*CONCLUSION@#Absorbable anchor combined with Kirschner wire fixation can be used to reconstruct the extension function of old mallet finger, which has the advantages of simple operation and less complications.

Nicotine exacerbates tacrolimus-induced renal injury by programmed cell death

Background/Aims@#Cigarette smoking is an important modifiable risk factor in kidney disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms for this are lacking. This study aimed to assess whether nicotine (NIC), a major toxic component of cigarette smoking, would exacerbates tacrolimus (TAC)-induced renal injury. @*Methods@#Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily with NIC, TAC, or both drugs for 4 weeks. The influence of NIC on TAC-caused renal injury was examined via renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and programmed cell death (apoptosis and autophagy). @*Results@#Both NIC and TAC significantly impaired renal function and histopathology, while combined NIC and TAC treatment aggravated these parameters beyond the effects of either alone. Increased oxidative stress, ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, proinf lammatory and profibrotic cytokine expressions, and programmed cell death from either NIC or TAC were also aggravated by the two combined. @*Conclusions@#Our observations suggest that NIC exacerbates chronic TAC nephrotoxicity, implying that smoking cessation may be beneficial for transplant smokers taking TAC.

Genome Characteristics and Evolution of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Based on the Shanxi Isolate of Cucurbita pepo L. in China / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is a destructive cucurbit virus that causes extensive losses in the yield and quality of cucurbits (e.g., zucchini). At present, the analysis of genetic evolution of ZYMV is mainly based on CP sequence, and there has been little progress in addressing its phylogenetic relationships and evolution at the whole genome level. In this study, the whole genome sequences of ZYMV isolated from Shanxi Wenshui (ZYMV-WS) and 109 other reported ZYMV isolates were used to explore their phylogenetic relationships. The results showed that ZYMV-WS had the highest level of nucleotide homology (94.35%) to ZYMV-SXSG, and the amino acid sequences of ZYMV-BR3 were identical (97.37%) to those of ZYMV-WS. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis of ZYMV revealed that all the isolates were clustered into two major branches, and its population structure assessment demonstrated a marked genetic differentiation between A4 and B. Furthermore, we also discovered the sites of specific amino-acid alteration, and their possible association with functional changes. These results will help to better understand the genetic diversity and phylogenetic process of ZYMV, and lay a theoretical foundation for the effective prevention and control of ZYMV infection in the near future.

L-carnitine treatment attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction

Background/Aims@#Accumulating evidence indicates that L-carnitine (LC) protects against multiorgan damage through its antioxidant properties and preservation of the mitochondria. Little information is available about the effects of LC on renal fibrosis. This study examined whether LC treatment would provide renoprotection in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in vitro. @*Methods@#Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent UUO were treated daily with LC for 7 or 14 days. The influence of LC on renal injury caused by UUO was evaluated by histopathology, and analysis of gene expression, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, programmed cell death, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ AKT/forkhead box protein O 1a (FoxO1a) signaling. In addition, H2O2-exposed human kidney cells (HK-2) were treated with LC. @*Results@#LC treatment inhibited expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, and was followed by a significant attenuation of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The increased oxidative stress caused by UUO was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/FoxO1a-dependent signaling, and this was abrogated by administration of LC. In H2O2-exposed HK-2 cells, LC decreased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and suppressed expression of profibrotic cytokines and reduced the number of apoptotic cells. @*Conclusions@#LC protects against the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in an obstructed kidney.

Shen-Kang protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Evidence suggests that Shen-Kang (SK), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, protects against various types of renal injury. In this study, we evaluated whether SK treatment confers renoprotection in a rat model of chronic tacrolimus (TAC) nephropathy.@*METHODS@#Rats were treated daily with TAC (1.5mg/kg, subcutaneously) and SK (450 mg/kg, intravenously) for 4 weeks. The effects of SK on TAC-induced renal injury were assessed by measuring renal function, urine albumin excretion, histopathology, inflammatory cell infiltration, expression of profibrotic (transforming growth factor β1 [TGF-β1] and TGF-β inducible gene-h3 [βig-h3]) and proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death.@*RESULTS@#Administration of SK preserved glomerular integrity (fractional mesangial area and Wilms tumor 1-positive glomeruli), attenuated tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and reduced the number of ectodermal dysplasia 1-positive cells, and this was paralleled by improved urine albumin excretion and renal dysfunction. At the molecular level, SK treatment suppressed expression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3, βig-h3, and proinflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death were significantly decreased with SK treatment, and apoptosis-related genes were regulated toward cell survival (active caspase-3 and the B-cell lymphoma-2/Bcl2-associated X [Bcl-2/Bax] ratio).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SK protects against TAC-induced renal injury.

Application of DNA molecular marker technologies in study of medicinal Physalis species / 中国中药杂志

As traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, Physalis plants have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects, and have been used for the treatment of malaria, rheumatism, hepatitis, asthma, and cancer. In addition to the medicinal value, many Physalis species are also the high-grade nutrition health care fruits, can be made canned and candied etc. In the study, the application progress of DNA molecular marker technologies in medicinal Physalis plants in recent years was reviewed, in order to provide an important molecular technical basis for the identification, classification and rational development and protection of medicinal Physalis resources.

Effect of phacoemulsification assisted with femtosecond laser on corneal endothelial cells in patients with cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the effect of phacoemulsification assisted with femtosecond laser on corneal endothelial cells in patients with cataract. <p>METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. We selected 180 patients(190 eyes)with cataract in our hospital from August 2014 to January 2016 treated with phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation. According to random number table, all patients were divided into observation group with 80 cases(85 eyes)and control group with 100 cases(105 eyes). Patients in the control group were treated by conventional phacoemulsification, and the observation group were treated by femtosecond laser assisted phacoemulsification. Two groups of patients with general information and clinical data, including age, sex, corneal endothelial cell count/mm2 before and at 3mo after the operation, cumulative dissipated energy(CDE)of the two groups, were collected. Statistical analysis was performed. <p>RESULTS: In the observation group, the level of CDE in patients with lens hardness at class Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly lower than that of the control group(<i>t</i>=-2.456, -3.053, <i>P</i>=0.016, 0.003). The reduction rate of CDE in patients with lens hardness at class Ⅱ was 29.37%, and the rate of CDE in patients at class Ⅲ was 22.69%, which was significantly lower than that of CDE in class Ⅱ. Comparison of preoperative corneal endothelial cell density was not significantly different between the two groups(<i>t</i>=-0.816, <i>P</i>=0.416); at 3mo after surgery, the corneal endothelial cell density of the observation group and the control group significantly decreased(<i>t</i>=-2.094, 6.043, <i>P</i>=0.038, <0.01). At 3mo after operation, the density of corneal endothelial cells of observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(<i>t</i>=2.575, <i>P</i>=0.011). In the observation group, the rate of corneal endothelial cell loss(7.68±4.23)% was significantly lower than that of the control group(10.36±4.08)%. <p>CONCLUSION: For cataract patients with class Ⅲ and below nuclear, femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery can reduce the level of CDE and reduce the damage to corneal endothelium, which is safe and effective.

Expression of activin A in tissue and serum of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to explore the expression of activin A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used for detecting the expression of tissue activin A in sixty-four patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detecting the serum activin A in the patients before and after surgery. The relationship between expression of activin A in the esophageal cancer tissue with clinicopathological features and its influence on prognosis were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of activin A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 82.8% (53/64), and that of normal esophageal epithelium was 6.7% (2/30), showing a very significant difference between them (P < 0.001). Expression of activin A was correlated with both lymph node metastasis and invasion depth of the tumor (all P < 0.05), and the expression of activin A was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (r = 0.321, P < 0.05) and invasion depth of the tumor (r = 0.417, P < 0.05). The serum activin A of the patients before and after surgery was (911 ± 276) pg/ml and (667 ± 236) pg/ml, respectively, showing a significant difference (P = 0.005). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that expression of activin A and lymph node metastasis were independent influencing factors for prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Activin A may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and it has an important reference value in the estimation of diagnosis and prognosis for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.</p>

Comparison of Early and Late Conversion of Sirolimus in Experimental Model of Chronic Cyclosporine Nephropathy

Sirolimus (SRL) is a promising drug for replacing calcineurin inhibitors. We performed this study to determine the optimal time of conversion from cyclosporine (CsA) to SRL in an experimental model of chronic CsA nephropathy. Three separate studies were performed. In the first study, SRL was given to rats with or without CsA for 4 weeks. In the second study, rats were treated initially with CsA for 1 week, and then switched to SRL (early conversion). In the third study, CsA was given for 4 weeks and then replaced by SRL for 4 weeks treatment of CsA (late conversion). The influence of SRL on CsA-induced renal injury was evaluated by assessing renal function, histopathology (interstitial inflammation and fibrosis), and apoptotic cell death. Combined CsA and SRL treatment significantly impaired renal function, increased apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis and inflammation compared with CsA or SRL treatment alone. Early conversion to SRL did not change renal function, histopathology, or apoptosis compared with early CsA withdrawal. By contrast, late conversion to SRL significantly aggravated these parameters compared with late CsA withdrawal. In conclusion, early conversion from CsA to SRL is effective in preventing CsA-induced renal injury in a setting of CsA-induced renal injury.

Higher infiltration by Th17 cells compared with regulatory T cells is associated with severe acute T-cell-mediated graft rejection

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Th17 and Treg cell infiltration into allograft tissue is associated with the severity of allograft dysfunction and tissue injury in acute T cell-mediated rejection (ATCMR). Seventy-one allograft tissues with biopsy-proven ATCMR were included. The biopsy specimens were immunostained for FOXP3 and IL-17. The allograft function was assessed at biopsy by measuring serum creatinine (Scr) concentration, and by applying the modified diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula, which provides the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The severity of allograft tissue injury was assessed by calculating tissue injury scores using the Banff classification. The average numbers of infiltrating Treg and Th17 cells were 11.6 +/- 12.2 cells/mm2 and 5.6 +/- 8.0 cells/mm2, respectively. The average Treg/Th17 ratio was 5.6 +/- 8.2. The Treg/Th17 ratio was significantly associated with allograft function (Scr and MDRD eGFR) and with the severity of interstitial injury and tubular injury (P < 0.05, all parameters). In separate analyses of the number of infiltrating Treg and Th17 cells, Th17 cell infiltration was significantly associated with allograft function and the severity of tissue injury. By contrast, Treg cell infiltration was not significantly associated with allograft dysfunction or the severity of tissue injury. The results of this study show that higher infiltration of Th17 cell compared with Treg cell is significantly associated with the severity of allograft dysfunction and tissue injury.

Human leukocyte antigen-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism in severe pre-eclampsia / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between human leukocyte antigen-G( HLA-G) gene Exon 8 14 bp deletion polymorphism and the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia.Methods Forty-two pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia,who admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2008 to February 2009,and their newborns were chosen as the severe pre-eclampsia group.Another 45 healthy gravidas at the third trimester and their newborns were chosen as the control.All gravidas in both groups were Han Nationality.HLA-G Exon 8 genotyping was detected by PCR in both groups and the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies were compared between the two groups.The genotype frequencies of maternal-neonatal pairs were also analyzed.Results ( 1 ) In the severe pre-eclampsia group,14% of the maternal-neonatal pairs were homozygote of 14 bp deletion,and significantly higher frequency 33% (15/45) was found in the control group (P =0.038).(2) No significant difference was found in the allele frequencies and genotype frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism among all the mothers between the two groups (P >0.05).(3) The + 14 bp and-14 bp allele frequencies of HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism in newborns in the severe pre-eclampsia group were 44% (37/84) and56% (47/84),respectively,and 30% (27/90) and 70% (63/90) in the control group.Although there was no significant difference between the two groups,but differences in trends was identified (χ2= 3.678 P = 0.055) ; The genotype (-14 bp/-14 bp) frequency of neonates in the severe pre-eclampsia group showed no difference compared with that in the control group[29% (12/42) vs 49% (22/45)],but differences in trends was also found (P =0.052).Conclusions HLA-G 14 bp deletion polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility of severe pre-eclampsia in Chinese Han nationality.Maternal-fetal genotype pairs of-14 bp/-14 bp may have reduced risk of severe pre-eclampsia.