Intraoperative fluoroscopy on femoral tunnel placement in the treatment of professional snow sports athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical outcomes of intraoperative fluoroscopy on femoral tunnel placement in treating professional snow sports athletes with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the clinical data of 13 professional snow sports athletes with ACL injury treated in the National Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China from January 2016 to January 2019. There were 5 males and 8 females, aged 16-27 years [(18.5±3.0)years]. Intraoperative lateral fluoroscopy combined with quadrant method was performed for the accurate femoral tunnel placement in single-bundle ACL reconstruction by using autologous hamstring tendon in all patients. KT1000 side-to-side difference (KT1000-ssd), pivot shift test, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm score, Marx activity scale and maximum extension and flexion resistance ratio of the involved and uninvolved knee were compared before operation (or before injury) and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. Whether returning to the field, time taken in returning to the field and re-injury were recorded at each follow-up visit. ACL graft signal intensity ratio (SIR) in MRI of the involved knee was evaluated at postoperative 24 months.Results:All patients were followed up for 24-33 months [(25.8±2.7)months]. There were 7 patients with KT1000-ssd degree I, 5 with degree II and 1 with degree III before operation, compared to 12 patients with KT1000-ssd degree 0 and 1 with degree I at 3 and 6 months after operation and 13 patients with KT1000-ssd degree 0 at 12 and 24 months after operation. The pivot shift test was grade I in 8 patients and grade II in 5 before operation, compared to 11 patients with degree 0 and 2 with degree I at 3 months after operation and 12 patients with degree 0 and 1 with degree I at 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. IKDC subjective score was (68.0±4.3)points, (84.7±7.9)points, (94.6±3.3)points and (96.5±1.8)points at postoperative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Six months after operation, IKDC subjective score was significantly improved compared to the preoperative (48.3±25.0)points (all P<0.01). The Lysholm score was (63.4±6.6)points, (80.1±6.5)points, (93.8±4.6)points and (96.5±2.4)points at postoperative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Six months after operation, the Lysholm score was significantly improved compared to the preoperative (47.5±29.4)points (all P<0.01). The Marx activity scale was (7.4±0.5)points, (13.8±0.7)points, (14.6±0.8)points and (15.0±0.7)points at postoperative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively, significantly lower than (16.0±0.0)points before the injury (all P<0.01). The maximum extension resistance ratio of the involved and uninvolved knee was 0.60±0.10, 0.85±0.08, 0.91±0.06 and 0.97±0.04 at postoperative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Six months after operation, the maximum extension resistance ratio of the involved and uninvolved knee was significantly increased compared to the preoperative 0.57±0.18 (all P<0.01).The maximum flexion resistance ratios of involved and uninvolved knee were 0.64±0.09, 0.82±0.06, 0.89±0.04 and 0.94±0.06 at postoperative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Six months after operation, the maximum flexion resistance ratio of the involved and uninvolved knee was significantly increased compared to the preoperative 0.60±0.12 (all P<0.01). Thirteen athletes returned to the field within 12 months after operation with the time taken in returning to the field ranging from 5-12 months [(8.7±1.9)months]. There was no ACL re-injury at postoperative 24 months. The ACL graft SIR in MRI of the involved knee was 1.80±0.20 at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion:Intraoperative fluoroscopy on femoral tunnel placement in the treatment of professional snow sports athletes with ACL injury can significantly improve the knee joint stability, subjective function, sports performance and muscle strength within 6 months, and can help them return to the field within 12 months, and accelerates graft healing.

Near-infrared targeted probe designed for intraoperative imaging of prostatic neurovascular bundles / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the imaging effect of a near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 on the neurovascular bundles (NVB) around the prostate in rats.@*METHODS@#A near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 was synthesized. An animal model for NVB imaging was established using Sprague-Dawley rats (250-400 g). Experiments were conducted using a custom-built near-infrared windowⅡ(NIR-Ⅱ) small animal in vivo imaging system, and images collected were processed using ImageJ and Origin. The fluorescence signal data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism. The signal-to-background ratio (SBR) for NVB was quantitatively calculated to explore the effective dosage and imaging time points. Finally, paraffin pathology sections and HE staining were performed on the imaging structures.@*RESULTS@#Except for rats in the control group (n=2), right-sided NVB of the rats injected with ICG-NP41 (n=2 per group) were all observed in NIR-Ⅱ fluorescence mode 2 h and 4 h after administration. At 2 h and 4 h, average SBR of cavernous nerve in 2 mg/kg group in fluorescence mode was 1.651±0.142 and 1.619±0.110, respectively, both higher than that in white light mode (1.111±0.036), with no significant difference (P>0.05); average SBR of 4 mg/kg group in fluorescence mode were 1.168±0.066 and 1.219±0.118, respectively, both higher than that in white light mode (1.081±0.040), with no significant difference (P>0.05). At 2 h and 4 h, the average SBR of 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg groups in fluorescence mode were higher than that of the control group (SBR=1), the average SBR of the 2 mg/kg group was higher than that of the 4 mg/kg group, and all the above with no significant difference (P>0.05). The average diameter of the nerve measured by full width at half maxima method was about (178±15) μm. HE staining of paraffin sections showed the right major pelvic ganglion.@*CONCLUSION@#The near-infrared fluorescent targeted probe ICG-NP41 can be used for real-time imaging of the NVB around the prostate in rats, providing a potential feasible solution for localizing NVB in real time during nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.

Research progress in drugs targeting tumor associated macrophage / 药学学报

Tumor brings great threat to human public health. In recent years, incidence rate and mortality of tumor were rapidly increased in the world. Anti-tumor therapies have undergone the development of cytotoxic therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Among them, tumor immunotherapy is rapidly developed and becomes an important anti-tumor therapy in recent years, although it also brings some related side effects. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of immune cells, vascular vessels, fibroblasts, the extracellular matrix, etc. TME significantly affects the efficacy of immunotherapy. Macrophages in the TME are named as tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). Recently, increasing studies have shown that TAMs play an important role in the regulation of tumor immunity, especially in tumor immune surveillance and immune escape. Currently, more and more anti-tumor immunotherapy strategies targeting TAMs are at the development stage. Based on the important role of TAMs in the TME and their potential as therapeutic targets in tumor immunotherapy, we first reviewed the subtypes and functions of TAMs, as well as the roles of TAMs in tumors. Furthermore, we summarized the research progress on anti-tumor strategies targeting TAMs and the current status of drug targeting TAMs. The current review will provide new ideas and novel insights for tumor immunotherapy.

Comparison of BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA levels detected by dPCR and qPCR methods in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To compare digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) measurements of BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA expression in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: In this non-interventional, cross-sectional study, BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA was simultaneously measured by dPCR and qPCR in peripheral blood samples collected from patients with CML who underwent tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy and who achieved at least a complete cytogenetic response from September 2021 to February 2023 at Peking University People's Hospital. The difference, correlation, and agreement between the two methods were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's correlation, and Bland-Altman analysis, respectively. Results: In total, 459 data pairs for BCR::ABL mRNA expression measured by dPCR and qPCR from 356 patients with CML were analyzed. There was a significant difference in BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods (P<0.001). When analyzed by the depth of the molecular response (MR), a significant difference only existed for patients with ≥MR4.5 (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed for those who did not achieve a major MR (no MMR; P=0.922) or for those who achieved a major MR (MMR; P=0.723) or MR4 (P=0.099). There was a moderate correlation between the BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods (r=0.761, P<0.001). However, the correlation gradually weakened or disappeared as the depth of the MR increased (no MMR: r=0.929, P<0.001; MMR: r=0.815, P<0.001; MR4: r=0.408, P<0.001; MR4.5: r=0.176, P=0.176). In addition, the agreement in BCR::ABL mRNA expression between the two methods in those with MR4.5 was weaker than other groups (no MMR: ▉= 0.042, P=0.846; MMR:▉=0.054, P=0.229; MR4:▉=-0.020, P=0.399; MR4.5:▉=-0.219, P<0.001) . Conclusions: dPCR is more accurate than qPCR for measuring BCR::ABL (P210) mRNA expression in patients with CML who achieve a stable deep MR.

Berberine alleviates programmed necrosis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease via activating Nrf2 pathway in mice / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on programmed necrosis of hepatocytes induced by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and its related molecular mechanism. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each group): control group (S), fatty liver group (H), berberine group(B), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 inhibitor group (Nrf2), and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group (A). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations were detected at the end of week 12 to calculate fatty liver index (liver mass/body mass ratio). Liver tissue was stained with HE, Masson and Oil Red O, and SAF score was used to evaluate the degree of liver injury. The expression levels of hepatic programmed necrosis-related proteins, namely receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated mixed series protease-like domain (p-MLKL) and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot method. One-way ANOVA was used for intragroup comparisons and LSD-t tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Results: Compared with S group, H group serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-1β levels and fatty liver index were significantly increased. The liver tissue was filled with vacuolar-like changes and inflammatory cell infiltration. Numerous red lipid droplets were observed with oil red O staining. Collagen fiber hyperplasia was evident with Masson staining. SAF scores (6.60 ± 0.55 and 0.80 ± 0.45) were significantly increased. The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated. Nrf2 level was relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with H group, berberine intervention group liver biochemical indexes, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, fatty liver index, and SAF score were significantly reduced, and the expression of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were down-regulated, while Nrf2 levels were further increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with B group, treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor had antagonized the protective effect of berberine on fatty liver. Serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC and TNF-α, IL-1β levels, fatty liver index, and SAF scores were significantly increased and the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can significantly improve the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease injury in mice, and its mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of programmed necrosis of hepatocytes.

Neuromodulatory therapies for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Reviving patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOCs) has always been focused and challenging in medical research. Owing to the limited effectiveness of available medicine, recent research has increasingly turned towards neuromodulatory therapies, involving the stimulation of neural circuits. We summarised the progression of research regarding neuromodulatory therapies in the field of DOCs, compared the differences among different studies, in an attempt to explore optimal stimulation patterns and parameters, and analyzed the major limitations of the relevant studies to facilitate future research.@*METHODS@#We performed a search in the PubMed database, using the concepts of DOCs and neuromodulation. Inclusion criteria were: articles in English, published after 2002, and reporting clinical trials of neuromodulatory therapies in human patients with DOCs.@*RESULTS@#Overall, 187 published articles met the search criteria, and 60 articles met the inclusion criteria. There are differences among these studies regarding the clinical efficacies of neurostimulation techniques for patients with DOCs, and large-sample studies are still lacking.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Neuromodulatory techniques were used as trial therapies for DOCs wherein their curative effects were controversial. The difficulties in detecting residual consciousness, the confounding effect between the natural course of the disease and therapeutic effect, and the heterogeneity across patients are the major limitations. Large-sample, well-designed studies, and innovations for both treatment and assessment are anticipated in future research.

Application of bone grafting and tissue engineering scaffold in oral implantation involving maxillary sinus elevation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The persistence of bone atrophy and maxillary sinus gasification can cause a deficiency in the height of maxillary posterior teeth. It is very difficult to place dental implants at this site. Increasing bone mass in the maxilla is beneficial for dental implantation, and it is a currently accepted method to lift the maxillary sinus to compensate for bone loss. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the application effect of bone graft material, human working bone material and tissue engineering scaffold material in maxillary sinus elevation. METHODS: "Maxillary sinus elevation, dental implant, autologous bone, allograft, artificial bone, scaffold" were used as the key words in Chinese and English to retrieve relevant articles concerning materials used in maxillary sinus elevation included in PubMed and WanFang. Then, we analyzed the effects of different bone grafting materials on new bone formation, implant stability and bone-implant binding rate after maxillary sinus elevation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Autologous bone is the gold standard of bone graft material in maxillary sinus elevation, which can ensure the bone mass and the long-term stability of implantation around the implant, but it is easy to cause secondary damage to the donor area and to produce infection. Allogeneic bone can be used as an alternative material of autogenous bone,such as deproteinized bovine bone minerals,inorganic bovine bone,etc.,which can generate new bone and ensure dental implantation to achieve sufficient stability. Artificial bone materials such as hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate,biphasic calcium phosphate compound,etc.have good bone conduction and can achieve a high bone-implant contact rate. Tissue-engineered bone grafts that can combine stem cells and cytokines with bio-scaffolds for maxillary sinus elevation can promote new bone formation, increase bone mass, and ensure dental implantation to achieve good stability.

Construction of a lentiviral vector for RNA interference of glycerol kinase gene in human hepatocytes in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a lentiviral vector for RNA interference (RNAi) of human glycerol kinase (GK) gene to stably down-regulate GK expression in human hepatocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sequence of siRNA for GK interference were cloned into the pSicoR vector. Following packaging in 293T cells, the lentivirus was titrated using fluorescence activated cell sorting. Human hepatocyte L02 cells was infected with the lentivirus and the expression of GK was analyzed using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lentiviral particle pSicoR-GK was successfully packaged with a virus titer reaching 3×10(7) pfu/ml. The expression level of GK protein was down-regulated to 20% of the control level in L02 cells infected with the lentivirus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lentiviral vector for RNAi of human GK gene has been successfully constructed, which can significantly down-regulate GK expression in human hepatocytes.</p>

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of NAT2 and susceptibility to urinary bladder cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between genetic polymorphism of NAT2 and susceptibility to bladder cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NAT2 genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP method in 69 patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma and 88 healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of NAT2 slow genotypes was 26.1% (18/69) in patients compared with 14.8% (13/88) in controls (P < 0.05). Bladder cancer risk in patients with NAT2 slow genotypes was 2 fold as high as that in patients with NAT2 rapid genotypes. When NAT2 rapid genotypes/non-smoker were used as reference, bladder cancer risk increased to 5.8-fold (P < 0.05). Among the smokers with PY higher than 10, the patients showed a higher frequency of NAT2 slow genotype than controls (P < 0.05). It was also shown that the patients with slow NAT2 genotypes were more likely to have high grade tumor (P < 0.05) and advanced stage tumor (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that NAT2 genetic polymorphism is associated with bladder cancer susceptibility. People with NAT2 slow genotype have higher bladder cancer risk.</p>

Expression of androgen receptor isoforms in normal human prostate / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of androgen receptor (AR) isoforms in normal human prostate.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourteen normal prostatic specimens from donors, aged 25 on average (21-28 yr), were analyzed by high resolution isoelectric focusing (IEF). The expression of AR isoforms was demonstrated in all 14 normal human prostatic tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four types of AR isoforms were detected with isoelectric point value at 6.5, 6.0, 5.8 and 5.3 in 14 prostatic specimens. Binding of 3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to these four AR isoforms was inhibited by the addition of 100-fold excess of DHT and testosterone. No effect of progesterone, estradiol and diethylstilbestrol on tritiated hormone binding was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are four AR isoforms in normal human prostate. The expression of AR isoforms is different from one another.</p>