Establishment of a rat femoral nonunion model by intramedullary fixation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Establishing an objective and standard animal model of bone nonunion is essential for experimental studies and treatment of nonunion. OBJECTIVE:To establish an objective animal model for experimental studies of nonunion. METHODS:Specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats were selected and prepared by cutting off a 5 mm bone defect in the middle femur,peeling off a large periosteum and removing bone marrow.Animal models were fixed with a 1.2 mm Kirschner wire.At 1,4 and 8 weeks,bone nonunion was observed by gross specimen observation,X-ray examination and histopathological examination. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The gross specimen,X-ray film and histopathological examination showed that there was no callus formation in the bone defect area,the broken end was filled with fiber tissue,and the bone callus was rare or even invisible.To conclude,the rat model of nonunion can be successfully established by osteotomy of the middle femur,large periosteum peeling and bone marrow removal.This modeling method is simple,reliable and effective.

Design of multi-functional infusion stand in field conditions / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To design a multi-functional infusion stand for field use to replace the traditional infusion support in field conditions.Methods The infusion stand was composed of a base,a support rod,liquid hooks and fixing straps.The stand base consisted of four retractable legs with four fixing nails at the bottom of the leg ends.The support rod was divided into four sections,and was mounted on top of the base,the four liquid hooks were installed on the hook disks of the 3rd sections of support rods.The four fixing straps were made of Velcro material and positioned on the stand legs,support rods and liquid hooks.Results The multi-functional infusion stand proved to have the advantages in deployment and withdrawal time,adaptability to transport tools and environments,low size and high mobility.Conclusion The infusion stand developed gains advantages in high practicality,mobility and convenience,and can meet complicated requirements for infusion in field conditions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):115-117]

Humanistic Care for the Prevention of Perioperative Hypothermia in the Elderly / 中国医学伦理学

The intervention and prevention of perioperative hypothermia is not only reflected in the technical level, but also reveals the important role of humanistic care in the whole intervention work. If perioperative patients have hypothermia, it is likely to cause a series of complications such as postoperative shivering, which seriously threatens the life safety of patients. Prevention and intervention was based on a comprehensive understanding of the causes and hazards of hypothermia, especially the impact on the lives of the elderly. Effective supervision was implemented in the whole process of operation, such as dynamic monitoring of vital signs including body temperature, followed by room temperature regulation, body temperature protection and preoperative and postoperative psychological nursing. At this time, the sense of responsibility, good humanistic care of medical staff are of positive significance to effectively prevent and reduce the probability of perioperative hypothermia and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation of patients.

Pollution status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacteria in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China / 环境与职业医学

Background Bacteria are the most diverse and widely sourced microorganisms in the indoor air of subway stations, where pathogenic bacteria can spread through the air, leading to increased health risks. Objective To understand the status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacterial pollution in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating intervention measures to address indoor air bacteria pollution in subways. Methods Three subway stations and the compartments of trains parking there in a city in Central South China were selected according to passenger flow for synchronous air sampling and monitoring. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) were measured by direct reading method. In accordance with the requirements of Examination methods for public places-Part 3: Airborne microorganisms (GB/T 18204.3-2013), air samples were collected at a flow rate of 28.3 L·min−1, and total bacterial count was estimated. Bacterial microbial species were identified with a mass spectrometer and pathogenic bacteria were distinguished from non-pathogenic bacteria according to the Catalogue of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted to human beings issued by National Health Commission. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the subway hygiene indicators in different regions and time periods, and Bonferroni test was used for pairwise comparison. Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between CO2 concentration and total bacterial count. Results The pass rates were 100.0% for airborne total bacteria count, PM2.5, and PM10 in the subway stations and train compartments, 94.4% for temperature and wind speed, 98.6% for CO2, but 0% for humidity. The overall median (P25, P75) total bacteria count was 177 (138,262) CFU·m−3. Specifically, the total bacteria count was higher in station halls than in platforms, and higher during morning peak hours than during evening peak hours (P<0.05). A total of 874 strains and 82 species were identified by automatic microbial mass spectrometry. The results of identification were all over 9 points, and the predominant bacteria in the air were Micrococcus luteus (52.2%) and Staphylococcus hominis (9.8%). Three pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii (0.3%), Corynebacterium striatum (0.1%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacilli (2.2%) were detected in 23 samples (2.6%), and the associated locations were mainly distributed in train compartments during evening rush hours. Conclusion The total bacteria count in indoor air varies by monitoring sites of subway stations and time periods, and there is a risk of opportunistic bacterial infection. Attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfection during peak passenger flow hours in all areas.

Metabolomics-based Analysis of Toxicity Changes of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Zingiberis Rhizoma in Sinitang Before and After Compatibility / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and toxicity change rule of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata（ALRP） and Zingiberis Rhizoma（ZR） before and after compatibility， and to reveal the compatibility connotation of them. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， blank-ALRP group， blank-ALRP-ZR group， model group， model-ALRP group and model-ALRP-ZR group， the latter three groups were injected with adriamycin via tail vein to establish the model of heart failure， and the former three groups were injected with the same amount of physiological saline via tail vein. The effects of ALRP single decoction and ALRP-ZR mixed decoction on biochemical indexes and myocardial histopathological morphology of normal rats and model rats were compared. Metabolomics analysis was performed on rat serum samples， principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to screen the differential metabolites between groups， and the differential metabolic pathways were analyzed. Combined with network pharmacology technology， the metabolites and their associated targets and pathways related to enhancing anti-heart failure efficacy and reducing cardiotoxicity were screened before and after the compatibility of ALRP and ZR， the screened representative pathways were verified by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significant increases in the contents of brain natriuretic peptide（BNP）， creatine kinase（CK）， lactate dehydrogenase（LDH） and cardiac troponin（cTn）-T（P<0.01）， the blank-ALRP group showed obvious increases in CK， LDH， and cTn-T contents（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the normal-ALRP-ZR group showed a significant increase in CK content（P<0.01）. Compared with the blank-ALRP group， the blank-ALRP-ZR group showed a obvious decrease in LDH content（P<0.05）， and pathological sections showed that both decoctions could lead to myocardial histopathological damage in normal rats. Compared with the model group， the model-ALRP-ZR group showed obvious decreases in BNP， CK， LDH and cTn-T contents（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the model-ALRP group showed obvious decreases in BNP， LDH and cTn-T contents（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model-ALRP group， the model-ALRP-ZR group showed a significant decrease in CK content（P<0.01）， and both decoctions could improve the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue in the model rats. Metabolomics results showed that ALRP single decoction and ALRP-ZR mixed decoction could recover 422 and 459 metabolites in model rats， respectively. And the metabolic disruption of ALRP-ZR mixed decoction on normal rats was weaker than that of ALRP single decoction. The results of network pharmacological association analysis showed that in the aspect of ZR enhancing the anti-heart failure efficacy of ALRP， 3 metabolites such as deoxyuridylic acid were correlated to 56 metabolites， 82 targets and 13 pathways， including calcium signaling pathway， renin secretion， renin-angiotensin system， etc. In the aspect of ZR reducing the cardiotoxicity of ALRP， 3 metabolites such as tyrosol were associated with 24 metabolites， 55 targets and 14 pathways， including adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes and carbon metabolism and so on. Western blot results showed that the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme（ACE）， angiotensin-converting enzyme 2（ACE2） and angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ） in myocardial tissues of rats from the model group was significantly elevated by comparing with the blank group（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the model-ALRP group and the model-ALRP-ZR group showed significantly decreased expression of ACE， ACE2 and Ang Ⅱ（P<0.01）. Compared with the model-ALRP group， the expression of ACE2 and AngⅡ was significantly decreased in the model-ALRP-ZR group. Compared with the blank group， the expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase（ERK）， protein kinase B（Akt） and cTn-I3 was significantly elevated in the blank-ALRP group and blank-ALRP-ZR group（P<0.01）. Compared with the blank-ALRP group， the blank-ALRP-ZR group showed decreased expression of ERK， Akt and cTn-I3， but there was no statistical significance. ConclusionTo a certain extent， the combination of ALRP and ZR shows synergistic relationship under pathological state， and attenuated effect of compatibility under normal physiological state， and the pharmacodynamic characteristics and compatibility relationship of ALRP and ZR are closely related to the physiological state.

Research progress in transcriptional and immunological biomarkers associated with tuberculosis infection / 中华预防医学杂志

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that poses a serious threat to human health. About a quarter of the world's population were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 2020, and the majority of them were latently infected. Approximately 5%-10% of the population with latent tuberculosis infection may progress to active TB disease. Identifying latent TB infection from active TB by biomarkers and screening people with latent TB infection at high risk of progression for preventive treatment by biomarkers that can reliably predict the progression is one of the most effective strategies to control TB. This article reviews the progress of research on transcriptional and immunological biomarkers for identifying TB infection and predicting the progression from latent infection to active TB, with the aim of providing new ideas for tuberculosis control.

Core connotation of compatibility of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma herb pair under physiological/ pathological conditions based on metabolomics and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the core connotation of the compatibility of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Fuzi)-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(Gancao) herb pair under physiological and pathological conditions. The biochemical indicators of serum/myocardial tissue, pathological changes of the myocardial tissue, and serum metabolic profiles of normal rats and heart failure model rats treated with Fuzi Decoction and Fuzi Gancao Decoction were determined. Network pharmacology and metabolomics were employed to establish the metabolite-target-pathway network for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Western blotting was employed to verify the representative pathways in the network. The results showed that both decoctions lowered the levels of creatine kinase and other indicators and mitigate myocardial pathological injury in model rats. However, they caused the abnormal rises in creatine kinase and other indicators and myocardial pathological injury in normal rats. The results indicated that the compatibility reduced the toxicity in normal rats and enhanced the efficacy in model rats. The results of metabolomics showed that Fuzi Gancao Decoction recovered more metabolites in model rats and had weaker effect on interfe-ring with the metabolites in normal rats than Fuzi Decoction. The association analysis showed that the network of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma enhancing the efficacy of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata involved 112 metabolites, 89 targets, and 15 pathways, including calcium and cAMP signaling pathways. The network of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma reducing the cardiotoxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata involved 36 metabolites, 59 targets, and 11 pathways, including adrenergic signaling and tricarboxylic acid cycle in cardiomyocytes. The experimental results of protein expression verified the reliability of the association analysis. This study demonstrated that the core connotation of the herb pair of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma changed under physio-logical and pathological states, and the compatibility results of enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity were achieved with different metabolic pathways and biological processes.

Pro-oxidation status of rotator cuff tissue and expression of Beclin-1 and mTOR in patients with rotator cuff injury / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore pro-oxidative state of rotator cuff tissue and expression levels of Beclin-1 and mam-malian target of rapamycin(mTOR) in patients with acute and chronic rotator cuff injury, and then analyzed relationship between rotator cuff injury and oxidative stress and autophagy.@*METHODS@#Forty patients with rotator cuff injury were seleceted from July 2019 to December 2020, and divided into male chronic injury group, male acute injury group, female chronic injury group, and female acute injury group, 10 patients in each group. All patients were performed rotator cuff repair under arthroscopy. The sample of tendon at the rotator cuff injury site of the patient was taken during operation, and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were detected by detection kit;expression of Beclin-1 and mTOR mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western-blot was applied to detect protein expression of Beclin-1 and p-mTOR/mTOR.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant difference in expression of ROS, SOD, Beclin-1mRNA and mTOR mRNA between male and female chronic injury groups, and between male and female acute injury groups (P>0.05); ROS, SOD and Beclin-1mRNA in male chronic injury group were higher than those in male chronic injury group, while mTOR mRNAand protein decreased (P<0.05);ROS, SOD and Beclin-1 mRNA in female chronic injury group were up-regulated compared with female acute injury group, while mTOR mRNA was down-regulated (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Chronic rotator cuff injury is more likely to stimulate the pro-oxidation state of rotator cuff tissue than acute rotator cuff injury, which could up-regulating expression of autophagy factor Beclin-1 and down-regulating expression of mTOR. Therefore, patients with chronic rotator cuff injury may have higher levels of oxidative stress and autophagy.

Clinical management and prognosis for descending necrotizing mediastinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment experiences and prognostic factors for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 22 patients with DNM diagnosed and treated in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2016 to August 2022, including 16 males and 6 females, aged 29-79 years. After admission, all patients underwent CT scanning of the maxillofacial, cervical, and thoracic regions to confirm their diagnoses. Emergency incision and drainage were performed. The neck incision was treated with continuous vacuum sealing drainage. According to the prognoses, the patients were divided into cure group and death group, and the prognostic factors were analyzed. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the clinical data. Rusults: The main complaints were dysphagia (45.5%, 10/22) and dyspnea (50.0%, 11/22). Odontogenic infection accounted for 45.5% (10/22) and oropharyngeal infection accounted for 54.5% (12/22). There were 16 cases in the cured group and 6 cases in the death group, with a total mortality rate of 27.3%. The mortality rates of DNM typeⅠand typeⅡwere respectively 16.7% and 40%. Compared with the cured group, the death group had higher incidences for diabetes, coronary heart disease and septic shock (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the cure group and the death group in procalcitonin level (50.43 (137.64) ng/ml vs 2.92 (6.33) ng/ml, M(IQR), Z=3.023, P<0.05) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) score (16.10±2.40 vs 6.75±3.19, t=6.524, P<0.05). Conclution: DNM is rare, with high mortality, high incidence of septic shock, and the increased procalcitonin level and APACHE Ⅱ score combined diabetes and coronary heart disease are the poor prognostic factors for DNM. Early incision and drainage combined with continuous vacuum sealing drainage technique is a better way to treat DNM.

Effects of EW-7197 on the proliferation and migration of TGF-β1 induced human Tenon fibroblasts and its mechanism / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the effect of ALK5 inhibitor EW-7197 on the proliferation and migration of human Tenon fibroblasts(HTFs)induced by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and its mechanism.METHODS: The cell proliferation rate was detected by MTS assay, and the optimal concentration and time of EW-7197 were explored. Then HTFs were divided into three groups: normal control group, TGF-β1 induced group and TGF-β1+EW-7197 group. Cell migration was observed by Transwell assay. The protein expression levels of Fibronectin, α-SMA, as well as the phosphorylated Smad2, Smad3(p-Smad2, p-Smad3)were measured by Western blot.RESULTS: MTS assay showed that the proliferation rate of cells treated with 6.0 μmol/L EW-7197 for 24h was the lowest(all P&#x003C;0.01). Transwell assay showed that the migrated number of HTFs in TGF-β1 induced group was 228.0±17.0/field, which was significantly more than that in normal control group(149.0±15.0/field)and TGF-β1+EW-7197 group(46.0±8.0/field; all P&#x003C;0.01). Western blot showed that the protein relative expression levels of Fibronectin, α-SMA and p-Smad2, p-Smad3 of HTFs in TGF-β1 induced group were significantly higher than that in normal control group and TGF-β1+EW-7197 group(all P&#x003C;0.001).CONCLUSION:EW-7197 can suppress the proliferation and migration of TGF-β1-induced HTFs through TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways.

Optimization of the extraction process of Shangke Huoxue Granule by central composite design-response surface methodology / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To optimize the extraction process of Shangke Huoxue Granule.Methods:Taking the factors of extraction solvent multiple, extraction time and extraction times as investigation factors, and extraction amount of ferulic acid, paeoniflorin and the ratio of extraction as comprehensive evaluation indices, one-factor experimental design and central composite design-response surface methodology were adopted to optimize the extraction process of Shangke Huoxue Granule.Results:The binomial fitting equation was Y=96.16+2.42 A+0.63 B-3.76 AB-1.57 A2-1.87 B2 ( P<0.01). The optimal extraction process parameters were confirmed to be adding 16 times of water, 64 minutes each time, twice. The deviation rates between the measured values of three verification experiments and the predicted value were 2.00%, 3.23% and 0.66%. Conclusion:The established model of central composite design-response surface methodology has high predictability and the optimized extraction process is stable and feasible.

Influencing of high sodium donor liver transplantation from the death of a citizen′s organ donation on the prognosis of recipients / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the influencing of high sodium donor liver transplan-tation from the death of a citizen′s organ donation (DCD) on the prognosis of recipients.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was constructed. The clinicopathological data of 125 pairs of donors and recipients who underwent DCD liver transplantation in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2015 to June 2021 were collected. Of the 125 donors, there were 93 males and 32 females. Of the 125 recipients, there were 92 males and 33 females, aged 48(41,55)years. According to the last time of serum sodium level of donor liver in the 125 recipients, 9 donor livers with serum sodium level ≥170 mmol/L were divided into group 1 (extremely high sodium), 33 donor livers with serum sodium level ≥150 mmol/L and <170 mmol/L were divided into group 2 (moderate high sodium), and 83 donor livers with serum sodium level <150 mmol/L were divided into group 3 (normal sodium), respectively. Observation indicators: (1) postoperative recover situations; (2) follow-up and survival analysis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Repeated measures were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and Pearson chi-square test or Fisher exact probability were used for data test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Postoperative recover situations. The changes of alanine transaminase (AlT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), albumin (Alb) and creatinine (Cr) from the first day to the 14th day after operation were (736±972)IU/L to (75±46)IU/L, (1 290±1 651)IU/L to (38±20)IU/L, (102±98)μmol/L to (33±11)μmol/L, (66±34)IU/L to (104±54)IU/L, (19.9±3.3)seconds to (11.3±1.0)seconds, 1.76±0.31 to 1.00±0.08, (34±5)g/L to (38±3)g/L and (91±41)μmol/L to (76±19)μmol/L, respectively, in the recipients of group 1. The above indicators were (505±377)IU/L to (48±46)IU/L, (855±727)IU/L to (24±17)IU/L, (64±42)μmol/L to (32±22)μmol/L, (68±51)IU/L to (91±46)IU/L, (16.8±3.5)seconds to (11.9±1.2)seconds, 1.47±0.30 to 1.04±0.09, (33±4 g/L) to (40±5)g/L and (106±32)μmol/L to (97±27)μmol/L in the recipients of group 2 and (637±525)IU/L to (65±60)IU/L, (929±1 193)IU/L to (33±27)IU/L, (66±48)μmol/L to (33±36)μmol/L, (64±28)IU/L to (125±64)IU/L, (17.2±4.7)seconds to (13.3±12.8)seconds, 1.51±0.42 to 1.05±0.13, (35±6)g/L to (39±4)g/L, (105±44)μmol/L to (94±40)μmol/L in the recipients of groups. Results of overall effect showed there were significant differ-ences in the change trend of TBil (time effect, inter-group effect, interaction effect) in recipients among the three groups after liver transplantation ( Fgroup=5.42, Ftime=22.78, Finteraction=3.85, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the time effect of ALT, AST, ALP, PT, INR, Alb, Cr in recipients among the three groups after liver transplantation ( Ftime=50.17, 36.24, 19.24, 10.55, 59.61, 41.94, 10.82, P<0.05). (2) Follow-up and survival analysis. All recipients were followed up. Cases with early postoperative liver dysfunction, cases with donor liver failure 1 year after operation, cases with biliary complica-tions 1 year after operation, cases with vascular complications 1 year after operation, cases with rejection 1 year after operation were 2, 1, 0, 0, 0 in the recipients of group 1. The above indicators were 2, 1, 3, 0, 1 in the recipients of group 2 and 10, 8,20, 1, 6 in the recipients of group 3. There was no significant difference in the above indicators among the three groups ( χ2=1.58, 0.60, 5.19, 1.62, 0.97, P>0.05). The 1-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates of the donor liver were 100.00% and 100.00% in the recipients of group 1 after liver transplantation. The above indicators were 94.74% and 77.16% in the recipients of group 2 and 91.57% and 89.30% in the recipients of group 3. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate of donor liver among the three groups ( χ2=2.69, P>0.05). The 1-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates were 100.00% and 100.00% in the recipients of group 1 after liver transplantation. The above indicators were 93.74% and 77.16% in the recipients of group 2 and 89.40% and 86.00% in the recipients of group 3. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate among the three groups ( χ2=1.94, P>0.05). Conclusion:Donor livers with high serum sodium level can be used in the DCD liver transplantation.

Clinical and imaging features of adult influenza B viral pneumonia / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of adult patients with influenza B viral pneumonia and improve the understanding of influenza B viral pneumonia in clinicians.Methods:The clinical data of adult patients with influenza B virus pneumonia were collected from January 2021 to December 2022 in the fever clinic of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University. The clinical symptoms, blood routine results and lung computed tomography (CT) results were analyzed and summarized.Results:The clinical data of 24 adult patients with influenza B virus pneumonia were collected. The time from onset to treatment was (2.7±0.3)d. All patients had fever, and 14 of them had body temperature >39 ℃. Blood routine and procalcitonin levels were normal, while C-reactive protein levels were elevated [(56.28±32.35)mg/L]. Oxygen saturation was normal (≥95%). The pulmonary CT findings were mostly small flake ground glass shadows distributed on one side, and some of them were cord shadows caused by interstitial lesions.Conclusions:Influenza B virus infection can also cause pneumonia, but is relatively limited and has a good prognosis.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: a clinicopathological analysis / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic, and genetic features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Methods: Twenty-three cases of MPNST were diagnosed at the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), China, between January 2012 and December 2022 and thus included in the study. EnVision immunostaining and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to examine their immunophenotypical characteristics and genomic aberrations, respectively. Results: There were 10 males and 13 females, with an age range of 11 to 79 years (median 36 years), including 14 cases of neurofibromatosis type I-associated MPNST and 9 cases of sporadic MPNST. The tumors were located in extremities (7 cases), trunk (4 cases), neck and shoulder (3 cases), chest cavity (3 cases), paraspinal area (2 cases), abdominal cavity (2 cases), retroperitoneum (1 case), and pelvic cavity (1 case). Morphologically, the tumors were composed of dense spindle cells arranged in fascicles. Periphery neurofibroma-like pattern was found in 73.9% (17/23) of the cases. Under low magnification, alternating hypercellular and hypocellular areas resembled marbled appearance. Under high power, the tumor cell nuclei were irregular, presenting with oval, conical, comma-like, bullet-like or wavy contour. In 7 cases, the tumor cells demonstrated marked cytological pleomorphism and rare giant tumor cells. The mitotic figures were commonly not less than 3/10 HPF, and geographic necrosis was often noted. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for S-100 (14/23, 60.9%) and SOX10 (11/23, 47.8%). The loss of the CD34-positive fibroblastic network encountered in neurofibromas was observed in 14/17 of the MPNST cases. The loss of H3K27me3 expression was observed in 82.6% (19/23) of the cases. Moreover, SDHA and SDHB losses were presented in one case. NGS revealed that NF1 gene loss of function (germline or somatic) were found in all 5 cases tested. Furthermore, four cases accompanied with somatic mutations of SUZ12 gene and half of them had somatic mutations of TP53 gene, while one case with germline mutation in SDHA gene and somatic mutations in FAT1, BRAF, and KRAS genes. Available clinical follow-up was obtained in 19 cases and ranged from 1 to 67 months. Four patients died of the disease, all of whom had the clinical history of neurofibromatosis type Ⅰ. Conclusions: MPNST is difficult to be differentiated from a variety of spindle cell tumors due to its wide spectrum of histological morphology and complex genetic changes. H3K27me3 is a useful diagnostic marker, while the loss of CD34 positive fibroblastic network can also be a diagnostic feature of MPNST. NF1 gene inactivation mutations and complete loss of PRC2 activity are the common molecular diagnostic features, but other less commonly recurred genomic aberrations might also contribute to the MPNST pathogenesis.

Expression of SMOC2 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinicopathological significance / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the expression of SMOC2 in papillary thyroid carcinomas(PTC)and its efficacy in joint diagnosis with CK19,Galectin-3,MC and BRAF V600E.Methods Bioinformatics was uesd to analyze the mR-NA expression differences of SMOC2 in PTC and benign thyroid tissues in the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Canc-er Genome Atlas database.Detection of SMOC2 protein expres-sion in paraffin tissue of 75 cases of PTC and 45 cases of papilla-ry thyroid hyperplasia(PTH)was used by using EnVision meth-od,combined with CK19,Galectin-3,and MC and BRAF V600E for sensitivity and specificity analysis.Results The bioinformatics analysis results showed that the mRNA expression level of SMOC2 in PTC tissue was significantly lower than that in benign thyroid tissue(P<0.05),and the area under the curve(AUC)predicted by SMOC2 for PTC diagnosis was 0.910(P<0.001).The immunohistochemical results showed that the ex-pression of SMOC2 in PTC was significantly lower than that in PTH tissue(P<0.001),and the AUC of SMOC2 for PTC diag-nosis was 0.898(P<0.001).The AUC of SMOC2 combined with CK19,Galectin-3,MC and BRAF V600E in the diagnosis of PTC was 1.000(P<0.001),and the AUC values of the combination of other markers were lower than 1.000.Conclu-sion The expression of SMOC2 in PTC is significantly de-creased,which can be used as an important marker for the diag-nosis and differential diagnosis of PTC.Combined with CK19,Galectin-3,MC and BRAF V600E,the sensitivity and specifici-ty of PTC can be improved to a certain extent.

Application value of 3D printed model in hemostasis training for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of 3D printed model in hemostasis training for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from six surgeons who participated in hemostasis training for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using 3D printed model at Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital in July 2023. All participants were male, aged (33.5±9.9)years. A 3D printed model simulating bleeding during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was created using hydrogel. Videos were recorded to document the surgeons′ hemostasis techniques and outcomes during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Two external expert reviewers blindly assessed the training videos using the objective structured assess-ment of technical skills (OSATS) scoring system to evaluate mesentery mobilization, vessel exposure, vessel clipping and bleeding after vessel clipping. Observation indicators: (1) face validity and content validity of the 3D printed model; (2) validity verification of the 3D printed model. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Results:(1) Face validity and content validity of the 3D printed model. The surgeons′ scores for overall impression, fidelity, texture, appearance, workspace and tactile similarity of the 3D printed model were 4.5±0.6, 4.0±0.6, 3.7±0.5, 4.2±0.8, 3.8±0.8 and 4.2±0.4, respectively. The surgeons′ scores for similarity to real scenarios, operation convenience, learning curve shortening and operation skills improving, patient risk reduction, trainee′s interest enhancing, confidence increasing and recommendation for promotion were 4.0±0.6, 4.2±0.8, 4.3±0.8, 4.3±0.5, 4.3±0.5, 4.0±0.6 and 4.8±0.4, respectively. (2) Validity verification of the 3D printed model. The OSATS scores and operation time to treat bleeding during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for expert surgeons were 18.7±0.6 and (125±12)seconds, respectively, versus 13.7±1.5 and (212±51)seconds for junior doctors, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=5.30, -2.89, P<0.05). Conclusion:The 3D printed model effectively simulates bleeding scenarios during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and distinguishes between different technical levels of expertise.

Optimization of extraction process for classic prescription Yihuang Decoction based on Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology, standard relation, and analytic hierarchy process combined with entropy weight method / 中国中药杂志

Based on the concept of quality by design(QbD), the Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology combined with standard relation(SR) and analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM) was applied to optimize the extraction process of the classic prescription Yihuang Decoction. The content of geniposidic acid, phellodendrine hydrochloride, and berberine hydrochloride in Yihuang Decoction, the extract yield, and fingerprint similarity were used as the critical quality attributes(CQAs) of the extraction process. The extraction time, water addition, and extraction times were used as the critical process parameters(CPPs). After determining the levels of each factor and level through single-factor experiments, response surface experiments were designed according to the Box-Behnken principle, and the experimental results were analyzed. The SR between each sample and the reference sample under various evaluation indicators of different extraction parameters was calculated. The weights of the five evaluation indicators were determined using AHP-EWM, followed by comprehensive evaluation. A function model between CPPs and CQAs characterized by comprehensive scores was established to predict the optimal extraction process parameters. In the final comprehensive weight coefficients, the yield rate accounted for 43.1%, and the content of berberine hydrochloride, phellodendrine hydrochloride, and geniposidic acid accounted for 35.1%, 6.3%, and 15.5%, respectively. After comprehensive score analysis with SR, the established second-order polynomial model was statistically significant(P<0.01, and the lack of fit was not significant). The predicted optimal extraction conditions for Yihuang Decoction were determined as follows: 8-fold volume of water, extraction time of 1.5 h, and extraction once. The mean comprehensive score of the validation experiment was 85.77, with an RSD of 0.99%, and it met the quality control stan-dards for the reference sample of Yihuang Decoction. The results indicate that the optimized extraction process for Yihuang Decoction is stable and reliable, and the water extract is close in quality attributes to the reference sample. This can serve as a foundation for the research and development of granules in the future. Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology combined with SR and AHP-EWM can provide references for the modern extraction process research of other classic prescriptions.

Mechanism of Xianglian Pills in improving dyslipidemia in obese mice induced by high-fat diet based on network pharmacology and intestinal flora / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Xianglian Pills(XLP) on lipid metabolism in obese mice and explore the underlying mechanism based on network pharmacology and intestinal flora. Firstly, network pharmacology was used to predict the possible effect of XLP on obesity. Secondly, an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat diet was established to observe changes in mouse body weight, adiposity index, liver and adipose tissue pathology. Lipid profiles, liver and kidney function markers, insulin content, and the expression of recombinant uncoupling protein 1(UCP-1) and PR structural domain protein 16(PRDM16) were measured. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in the intestinal flora. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that XLP mainly played a role in improving obesity by regulating lipolysis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. The results of animal experiments showed that XLP significantly reduced body weight, adiposity, blood lipid levels, and serum insulin levels in obese mice, while enhancing the expression of UCP-1 and PRDM16 in adipose tissue without causing damage to the liver or kidneys. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that XLP decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio at the phylum level, increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bacteroides at the family and genus levels, and reduced the abundance of Allobaculum. Therefore, XLP can effectively improve lipid metabolism disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, and the mechanism is related to the improvement of brown adipose function, the browning of white fat, the accelerated lipid metabolism, and the improvement of intestinal flora. However, its effect on promoting the conversion of white adipose to brown adipose still needs to be further studied.

Reyanning Mixture on Asymptomatic or Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect and safety of Reyanning Mixture (RYN) in treating asymptomatic or mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents.@*METHODS@#This is a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Patients aged 1-17 years and diagnosed with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were assigned to an intervention group (RYN plus standard care) and a control group (standard care) according to a randomization list. The primary outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate on days 3 and 7, hospital length of stay, symptom relief rate, new-onset symptoms of asymptomatic infected patients, and progressive disease rate. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of ORF1ab or N genes were also tested.@*RESULTS@#A total of 214 patients in the intervention group and 217 in the control group were analyzed. The SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion time was significantly shortened in the intervention group [5 days (interquartile range (IQR): 5-6) vs. 7 days (IQR: 6-7), P<0.01]. By days 3 and 7, the negative conversion rates were significantly higher in the intervention group (day 3: 32.7% vs. 21.2%, P=0.007; day 7: 75.2% vs. 60.8%, P=0.001). Ct values significantly increase on day 2 [ORF1ab gene: 35.62 (IQR: 29.17-45.00) vs. 34.22 (IQR: 28.41-39.41), P=0.03; N gene: 34.97 (IQR: 28.50-45.00) vs. 33.51 (IQR: 27.70-38.25), P=0.024] and day 3 [ORF1ab gene: 38.00 (IQR: 32.72-45.00) vs. 35.81 (IQR: 29.96-45.00), P=0.003; N gene: 37.16 (IQR: 32.01-45.00) vs. 35.26 (IQR: 29.09-45.00), P=0.01]. No significant difference was found in hospital length of stay between the two groups (P>0.05). Symptoms of cough were significantly improved (82.2% vs. 70.0%, P=0.02) and wheezing was significantly reduced (0.7% vs. 12.9%, P<0.01) in the intervention group compared with the control group. During the trial, no disease progression or serious adverse events were reported.@*CONCLUSION@#Adding RYN to standard care may be a safe and effective treatment for children with asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200060292).

Efficacy and Safety of Huashi Baidu Granules in Treating Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huashi Baidu Granules (HSBD) in treating patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant.@*METHODS@#A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted during COVID-19 Omicron epidemic in the Mobile Cabin Hospital of Shanghai New International Expo Center from April 1st to May 23rd, 2022. All COVID-19 patients with asymptomatic or mild infection were assigned to the treatment group (HSBD users) and the control group (non-HSBD users). After propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio, 496 HSBD users of treatment group were matched by propensity score to 496 non-HSBD users. Patients in the treatment group were administrated HSBD (5 g/bag) orally for 1 bag twice a day for 7 consecutive days. Patients in the control group received standard care and routine treatment. The primary outcomes were the negative conversion time of nucleic acid and negative conversion rate at day 7. Secondary outcomes included the hospitalized days, the time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion, and new-onset symptoms in asymptomatic patients. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study were recorded. Further subgroup analysis was conducted in vaccinated (378 HSBD users and 390 non-HSBD users) and unvaccinated patients (118 HSBD users and 106 non-HSBD users).@*RESULTS@#The median negative conversion time of nucleic acid in the treatment group was significantly shortened than the control group [3 days (IQR: 2-5 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days); P<0.01]. The negative conversion rate of nucleic acid in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group at day 7 (91.73% vs. 86.90%, P=0.014). Compared with the control group, the hospitalized days in the treatment group were significantly reduced [10 days (IQR: 8-11 days) vs. 11 days (IQR: 10.25-12 days); P<0.01]. The time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion had significant differences between the treatment and control groups [3 days (IQR: 2-4 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days); P<0.01]. The incidence of new-onset symptoms including cough, pharyngalgia, expectoration and fever in the treatment group were lower than the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the vaccinated patients, the median negative conversion time and hospitalized days were significantly shorter than the control group after HSDB treatment [3 days (IQR: 2-5 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days), P<0.01; 10 days (IQR: 8-11 days) vs. 11 days (IQR: 10-12 days), P<0.01]. In the unvaccinated patients, HSBD treatment efficiently shorten the median negative conversion time and hospitalized days [4 days (IQR: 2-6 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-7 days), P<0.01; 10.5 days (IQR: 8.75-11 days) vs. 11.0 days (IQR: 10.75-13 days); P<0.01]. No serious AEs were reported during the study.@*CONCLUSION@#HSBD treatment significantly shortened the negative conversion time of nuclear acid, the length of hospitalization, and the time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion in patients infected with SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant (Trial registry No. ChiCTR2200060472).