Value of albumin-related ratios in predicting the risk of death in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure / 临床肝胆病杂志

‍ ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the value of albumin-related ratios ［total bilirubin-to-albumin ratio （TAR）， creatinine-to-albumin ratio （CAR）， prothrombin time-international normalized ratio-to-albumin ratio （IAR）， neutrophil count-to-albumin ratio （NAR）， and red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio （RAR）］ in predicting the short-term prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure （HBV-ACLF）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 354 patients with HBV-ACLF who were admitted to Department of Infectious Diseases， The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University， from June 2017 to February 2022， and according to their prognosis at 3 months of follow-up， they were divided into survival group （n=272） and death group （n=82）. Related indices were recorded for all patients， including age， sex， complications， and the results of routine blood test， liver function， and coagulation for the first time after admission， and albumin-related ratios and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease （MELD） score were calculated. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distribution continuous data between groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman correlation test was used to investigate the correlation between albumin-related ratios and MELD score. The Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of MELD score， TAR， CAR， IAR， NAR， and RAR with poor prognosis. The area under the ROC curve （AUC） was used to as sess the accuracy of albumin-related ratios and MELD score in predicting the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients， and the De-Long test was used for the comparison of AUC. ResultsCompared with the death group， the survival group had significantly lower MELD score （Z=-8.071， P<0.001）， TAR （Z=-6.695， P<0.001）， CAR （Z=-4.463， P<0.001）， IAR （Z=-7.912， P<0.001）， NAR （Z=-4.061， P<0.001）， and RAR （Z=-4.788， P<0.001）. MELD score was positively correlated with CAR （r=0.616， P<0.001）， IAR （r=0.733， P<0.001）， TAR （r=0.657， P<0.001）， NAR （r=0.392， P<0.001）， and RAR （r=0.380， P<0.001）. The multivariate regression analysis of MELD score and albumin-related ratios showed that high TAR （odds ratio ［OR］=1.014， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.008 — 1.020， P<0.001） and high IAR （OR=22.052， 95%CI： 6.937 — 70.103， P<0.001） were independent risk factors for death. The ROC curves were plotted for albumin-related ratios and MELD score to evaluate their discriminatory ability for mortality， and the results showed that MELD score， TAR， CAR， IAR， NAR， and RAR had an AUC of 0.794， 0.744， 0.663， 0.788， 0.648， and 0.674， respectively， among which MELD score had the highest sensitivity of 86.59% and CAR had the highest specificity of 77.57%. TAR combined with IAR had an AUC of 0.809， with a sensitivity of 76.8% and a specificity of 71.3%. Subgroup analysis of HBV-ACLF showed that TAR combined with IAR had the highest AUC values of 0.884 and 0.733， respectively， in patients with type A or type C HBV-ACLF. ConclusionTAR and IAR can be used as simple and effective prognostic tools to predict the 90-day mortality of HBV-ACLF patients.

Efficacy of autologous peripheral blood nucleated cell therapy on periocular wrinkles / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of dermal and subcutaneous injection of autologous peripheral blood nucleated cells in improving periocular wrinkles.Methods:Eighteen cases of beauty seekers who planned to improve periocular wrinkles were selected as the research objects of this study. Autologous nucleated cells and blood active components were isolated and purified by negative collection mixed method and evenly injected into the periocular skin of patients. VISIA image analysis system, and satisfactory score were used to detect and evaluate the related characteristics of periocular skin at different stages before and after treatment. The scores were compared and analyzed, and the complications after treatment were recorded.Results:The 18 patients were followed up. The score of VISIA periorbital static wrinkles decreased from (22.09±8.21) before treatment to (18.31±7.84) one month after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-7.495, P<0.05). 17 patients were satisfied; After 3 months of follow-up, 15 cases were satisfied. The texture, consistency and pore state of periorbital skin were improved in some patients (10 cases). Conclusions:Autologous peripheral blood nucleated cell therapy can improve periorbital wrinkles, especially skin fine lines, and geta high satisfactory rate. There are almost no adverse reactions after the treatment, which is worthy of clinical application.

Effects of soluble glycoprotein 130 on expression of p-STAT3 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in retina of mice with diabetes mellitus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the effect of soluble glycoprotein 130(sgp130)on expression of p-STAT3 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A in retina of mice with diabetes mellitus(DM), and explore the possibility of sgp130 in interfering with inflammatory damage of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS: A total of 45 mice were randomly divided into normal group, DM group and sgp130 group. DM models were made in DM group and sgp130 group with streptozotocin. No special intervention was given to normal group and DM group, but sgp130 group was given intravitreal injection of 1.5mg/mL sgp130 2μL at the 1 and 5wk. After 10wk, all the mice were sacrificed to assess the protein expression of interleukin 6(IL-6), p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in the retina.RESULTS: The expressions of IL-6, p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in retina of DM group were higher than those of normal group at 10wk(all P<0.01). The expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF-A in sgp130 group were lower than those in DM group(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The sgp130 can selectively antagonize the trans signal transduction pathway of IL-6, down-regulate the expression of downstream inflammatory factors VEGF-A, and it may be used in the intervention of retinal inflammatory damage related with IL-6 in DM.

Acupuncture-Neuroimaging Research Trends over Past Two Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify topics attracting growing research attention as well as frontier trends of acupuncture-neuroimaging research over the past two decades.@*METHODS@#This paper reviewed data in the published literature on acupuncture neuroimaging from 2000 to 2020, which was retrieved from the Web of Science database. CiteSpace was used to analyze the publication years, countries, institutions, authors, keywords, co-citation of authors, journals, and references.@*RESULTS@#A total of 981 publications were included in the final review. The number of publications has increased in the recent 20 years accompanied by some fluctuations. Notably, the most productive country was China, while Harvard University ranked first among institutions in this field. The most productive author was Tian J with the highest number of articles (50), whereas the most co-cited author was Hui KKS (325). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (92) was the most prolific journal, while Neuroimage was the most co-cited journal (538). An article written by Hui KKS (2005) exhibited the highest co-citation number (112). The keywords "acupuncture" (475) and "electroacupuncture" (0.10) had the highest frequency and centrality, respectively. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ranked first with the highest citation burst (6.76).@*CONCLUSION@#The most active research topics in the field of acupuncture-neuroimaging over the past two decades included research type, acupoint specificity, neuroimaging methods, brain regions, acupuncture modality, acupoint specificity, diseases and symptoms treated, and research type. Whilst research frontier topics were "nerve regeneration", "functional connectivity", "neural regeneration", "brain network", "fMRI" and "manual acupuncture".

Clinical and chest CT features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features and the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP). Methods: Clinical and chest CT data of 38 CIP patients with malignant tumors from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2017 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, and the outcomes of pneumonitis were followed up. Results: The median time from the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to the onset of CIP was 72.5 days in 38 patients with CIP, and 22 patients developed CIP within 3 months after the administration of ICIs. The median occurrence time of CIP in 24 lung cancer patients was 54.5 days, earlier than 119.0 days of non-lung cancer patients (P=0.138), with no significant statistical difference. 34 patients (89.5%) were accompanied by symptoms when CIP occurred. The common clinical symptoms were cough (29 cases) and dyspnea (27 cases). The distribution of CIP on chest CT was asymmetric in 31 cases and symmetrical in 7 cases. Among the 24 lung cancer patients, inflammation was mainly distributed ipsilateral to the primary lung cancer site in 16 cases and diffusely distributed throughout the lung in 8 cases. Ground glass opacities (37 cases) and consolidation (30 cases) were the common imaging manifestations, and organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern (15 cases) was the most common pattern. In 30 CIP patients who were followed up for longer than one month, 17 cases had complete absorption (complete absorption group), and 13 cases had partial absorption or kept stable (incomplete absorption group). The median occurrence time of CIP in the complete absorption group was 55 days, shorter than 128 days of the incomplete absorption group (P=0.022). Compared with the incomplete absorption group, there were less consolidation(P=0.010) and CIP were all classified as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) pattern (P=0.004) in the complete absorption group. Conclusions: CIP often occurs within 3 months after ICIs treatment, and the clinical and CT findings are lack of specificity. Radiologic features may have a profound value in predicting the outcome of CIP.

Discussion on Technical Evaluation Requirements of Allergen Detection Reagent Pre-marketing / 中国医疗器械杂志

In the perspective of technical evaluation, the pre-marketing regulatory requirements of allergen detection reagents in China, America, European Union were compared, and the regulatory risks and performance requirements of this product were analyzed based on the monitoring of post-marketing adverse events, reference standards and domestic and foreign regulatory documents. In view of the "neck-stuck" problems such as the difficulty of clinical trials, the difficulty of finding comparable contrast reagents and the lack of clinical diagnostic gold standards, this paper discusses and gives regulatory suggestions, with a view to providing technical reference for product R&D, production, evaluation, approval and supervision in this field.

Application of Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion in hospice care for terminal cancer patients / 中国针灸

To analyze the application feasibility of Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion in hospice care for terminal cancer patients. Tiaoshen Jianpi acupuncture and moxibustion adjusts the spirit to regulate emotions and fortifies the spleen to supplement and boost foundation of acquired (postnatal) constitution. And it could relieve adverse reactions after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alleviate pain and regulate emotions in hospice care for terminal cancer patients, so as to promote the progress of hospice care for terminal cancer patients.

Analysis on migration of HIV/AIDS cases and related factors in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province, 2020 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To analyze the migration of the HIV/AIDS cases and related factors in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture (Liangshan). Methods: According to HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases who had follow-up records in Liangshan in 2020 were included in the survey. The migration of the HIV/AIDS cases was described and the related factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, and the migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases were mapped. Results: Among the 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases, 20.89% (6 010/28 772) had migration in 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among the HIV/AIDS cases, the migration related factors included being aged 15-24 years (compared with being aged 0-14 years, OR=2.74, 95%CI:2.04-3.69) and ethnic group (compared with Han ethnic group, OR=2.44, 95%CI:2.19-2.72), having education level of junior high school (compared with having education level of primary school or below, OR=1.25, 95%CI:1.14-1.38), being unmarried (compared with being married, OR=1.29, 95%CI:1.20-1.39), being engaged in business services (compared with being engaged in farming, OR=1.96, 95%CI:1.31-2.92), receiving antiviral treatment <1 year (compared with receiving antiviral treatment >3 years, OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.26-1.61), having recent CD4+T lymphocytes (CD4) counts >500 cells/μl (compared with having recent CD4 counts <200 cells/μl, OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.03-1.29). The geographical distribution maps showed that among all cities in Sichuan, Xichang (13.26%, 797/6 010) and Chengdu (10.12%,608/6 010) were the main migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases, and the provinces outside Sichuan where the HIV/AIDS cases would like to migrate to were mainly Guangdong (18.19%, 1 093/6 010) and Zhejiang provinces (7.67%, 461/6 010) in 2020. The HIV/AIDS cases who migrated where Liangshan, within Sichuan province, and to other provinces accounted for 27.67% (1 663/6 010), 15.34% (922/6 010) and 56.99% (3 425/6 010), respectively. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to the mobility characteristics and the classification management of HIV/AIDS cases according to their characteristics in Liangshan. Timely access to information on changes in the place of work and residence of HIV/AIDS cases should be warranted when they have migration. Good referrals and management for mobility of HIV/AIDS cases in different places should be made to reduce loss to follow-up and improving interventions.

Bacterial community diversity in Dermatophagoides farinae using high-throughput sequencing / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the bacterial community diversity in Dermatophagoides farinae. Methods Laboratory-cultured D. farinae was collected, and the composition of microbial communities was determined by sequence analyses of the V4 region in the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene on an Illumina PE250 high-throughput sequencing platform. Following quality control and filtering of the raw sequence files, valid reads were obtained and subjected to operational taxonomic units (OTU) clustering and analysis of the composition of microbial communities and alpha diversity index using the Usearch software, Silva database, and Mothur software. Results A total of 187 616 valid reads were obtained, and 469 OTUs were clustered based on a sequence similarity of more than 97%. OTU annotation showed that the bacteria in D. farinae belonged to 26 phyla, 43 classes, 100 orders, 167 families and 284 genera. The bacteria in D. farinae were mainly annotated to five phyla of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota, with Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum, and mainly annotated to five dominant genera of Ralstonia, norank-f-Mitochondria, Staphylococcus and Sphingomonas, with Wolbachia identified in the non-dominant genus. Conclusions A high diversity is identified in the composition of the bacterial community in D. farinae, and there are differences in bacterial community diversity and abundance among D. farinae.

Clinical efficacy of injection of recombinant humanized type Ⅲ collagen in facial rejuvenation / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant humanized type Ⅲ collagen injected by microneedles in facial rejuvenation.Methods:Twenty-five cases recruited from July to December 2021 were included as the research objects in this study. Recombinant humanized type Ⅲ collagen was injected into the face skin using microneedles. Images were collected before the treatment and 1, 2, and 3 months after the end of the treatment. The VISIA image analysis system was used for comparative analysis. Patient′s satisfaction evaluation and the occurrence of complications after treatment were also recorded.Results:According to results of VISIA, the scores of spots were (32.06±6.92) and (27.59±7.69); red areas were (32.79±11.80) and (27.74±9.49); pores were (17.66±9.79) and (14.60±7.07) and brown spots were (43.61±11.93) and (37.59±16.22) after the treatment were lower than those before treatment, and the results were statistically different ( F=3.442, 4.209, 7.473, 7.113, P<0.05). One month after the end of the of treatment. Patient′s self-satisfaction reached 84% (21 cases); three months after the end of the treatment, the patient′s self-satisfaction reached 80% (20 cases). No serious adverse reactions were occurred. Conclusions:The recombinant humanized type Ⅲ collagen injected by microneedles can be effective and durable for facial rejuvenation and get high patient satisfaction. It has high safety and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effectiveness and Safety of Umbilicus Treatment with Modified Dinggui Powder () in Patients with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal external umbilicus treatment with Modified Dinggui Powder (, MDGP) in patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP).@*METHODS@#A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 72 patients with CNP. Participants were randomly allocated to a treatment group and a placebo group using computer software in a 1:1 ratio, and received either MDGP external umbilicus treatment (MDGP group, 36 cases) or placebo control groupl (36 cases) at acupoints Shenque (CV 8), twice a week for 4 weeks. In addtion, patients all received herbal medicine treatment twice a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes was the US National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Scores Index (NIH-CPSI) with a questionnaire at weeks 2 and 4. The secondary outcomes including prostatic fluid examination (white blood cells and lecithin bodies), the clinical efficacy evaluation, and the adverse events were also assessed during the entire trial.@*RESULTS@#The NIH-CPSI scores regarding pain or discomfort scores showed greater improvement in the MDGP group than placebo control group at weeks 2 (P0.001) and week 4 (P0.004), respectively. NIH-CPSI scores of symptom severity, total scores, the amount of leukocytes number in the prostatic fifluid in the MDGP group were significantly improved (P0.05). The clinical effective rate was 73.53% (25/34) in the MDGP group, which was significally higher than the placebo control group with 48.39% (25/31, P<0.05). Patients were blinded successfully, and no serious adverse effects were found during the trial.@*CONCLUSION@#A 4-week course of umbilicus treatment with modified Dinggui Powder seems to relieve pain and symptom severity effectively and increase the amount of leukocytes number in patients with CNP (Trial registration No. ChiCTR1800014687).

Investigation of AIDS cognition and testing willingness among freshmen in Fengtai District, Beijing / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To examine college students awareness of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), as well as their willingness to undergo testing, and to provide guidance for further education targeted towards AIDS prevention.@*Methods@#The respondents were selected from two companies of military training camps in 4 universities in Fengtai District of Beijing using cluster sampling, and a questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information among 1 248 college freshmen. The content of the questionnaire included basic information about the students, awareness of AIDS, and willingness to undergo testing.@*Results@#A total of 87.18% students were familiar with AIDS related knowledge, and 62.98% students intended to have HIV tests in the future. Willingness to be tested for HIV was higher among not local students (67.39%) than among local students(55.65%)(χ 2=17.32, P<0.05). The willingness to get HIV testing was higher among students who had an understanding of AIDS (65.26%) than among those who lacked an awareness(47.50%)(χ 2=18.87, P<0.05). In terms of the willingness to be tested for HIV, the main concerns focused on personal privacy (23.24%) and the cost (18.59%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that improving students awareness of five of the items related to a basic knowledge of AIDS may increase their willingness to get HIV testing(P<0.05). Most students indicated a preference to get HIV testing at a hospital (68.51%) or at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(42.79%).@*Conclusion@#The willingness to get HIV testing can be increased by launching an AIDS health education program that targets weak knowledge points with respect to AIDS awareness.

Effects of NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway in TNF-α-induced apoptosis of A549 cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1(NOX1) signaling pathway in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced apoptosis of A549 cells. METHODS: i) A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentrations of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 nmol/L. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability to screen the optimal stimulating concentration of TNF-α. ii) A549 cells at logarithmic growth stage were randomly divided into four groups, the control group, the TNF-α group, the BAY11-7082(NF-κB inhibitor) group and the TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group. The cells in the control group were not treated. The TNF-α and BAY11-7082 groups were stimulated with 0.50 nmol/L TNF-α and 5 μmol/L BAY11-7082, respectively. The TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group was stimulated by both TNF-α and BAY11-7082. After 24 hours of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptotic rate, and Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 proteins. RESULTS: i) When A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentration of 0.50 nmol/L, the cell proliferative activity was reduced and the cell apoptosis was promoted. This concentration was selected as the stimulation dose of TNF-α in subsequent experiments. ii) The survival rate of A549 cells in the TNF-α group decreased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the protein expressions of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 increased in TNF-α group(all P<0.05) compared with the control group. In BAY11-7082 group, the survival rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 of A549 cells were decreased(all P<0.05), and the apoptotic rate of A549 cells was increased(P<0.05) compared with the control group. A549 cells in TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group changed from a long spindle shape to an irregular one. The cell survival rate increased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 decreased(all P<0.05) compared with the TNF-α group. CONCLUSION: NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway is involved in A549 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-α.

Research progress on the biological regulatory function of lysophosphatidic acid in bone tissue cells / 华西口腔医学杂志

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small phospholipid that is present in all eukaryotic tissues and blood plasma. As an extracellular signaling molecule, LPA mediates many cellular functions by binding to six known G protein-coupled receptors and activating their downstream signaling pathways. These functions indicate that LPA may play important roles in many biological processes that include organismal development, wound healing, and carcinogenesis. Recently, many studies have found that LPA has various biological effects in different kinds of bone cells. These findings suggest that LPA is a potent regulator of bone development and remodeling and holds promising application potential in bone tissue engineering. Here, we review the recent progress on the biological regulatory function of LPA in bone tissue cells.

Analysis of risk factors for acute kidney injury after radical nephrectomy / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To explore the risk factors of acute kidney injury(AKI) in patients after radical nephrectomy.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical information of 920 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent radical nephrectomy at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from February 2013 to September 2017. There were 612 male and 308 female patients included in this study, with a median age of 60 (range from 20-75 years). 313 patients (34.0%) had hypertension, 132 patients (14.3%) had diabetes, and 111 patients (12.1%) had smoking history. 829 cases (90.1%) were in stage 1-2 for preoperative renal function staging, and 91 cases (9.9%) were in stage 3-5. Preoperative hemoglobin was lower than the lower limit of normal in 391 cases (42.5%), white blood cell count increased in 66 cases (7.2%), and platelet increased in 72 cases (7.8%). Albumin was lower than the lower limit of normal in 65 cases (7.1%), lactate dehydrogenase increased in 73 cases (7.9%). blood urea nitrogen increased in 48 cases (5.2%), uric acid increased in 123 cases (13.4%), and urinary protein was positive in 88 cases (9.7%). 496 cases (53.9%) underwent open surgery and 424 (46.1%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. The changes in serum creatinine were followed up within 48 hours after surgery. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO standard. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for postoperative stage 2-3 AKI in patients.Results:Stage 1-3 AKI occurred on 627, 42 and 10 patients during hospitalization, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that diabetes ( OR=2.34, P=0.01), positive urine protein ( OR=2.22, P=0.04), and elevated white blood cell count ( OR=2.54, P=0.02) were significantly associated with postoperative stage 2-3 AKI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes ( OR=2.51, P=0.01) and elevated white blood cell count ( OR=2.69, P=0.02) were independent risk factors for postoperative stage 2-3 AKI. Conclusion:Renal cell carcinoma patients with diabetes or preoperative elevated white blood cell count are more likely to develop stage 2-3 AKI after radical nephrectomy.

Protective effect of recombinant adult serine protease inhibitor from Trichinella spiralis on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant adult serine protease inhibitor from Trichinella spiralis (TsadSPI) on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury in mice. Methods A total of 18 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the TsadSPI treatment group, of 6 mice in each group. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury was modeled in the model group and TsadSPI treatment group by cecal ligation puncture (CLP), while mice in the sham-operation group were only given exploratory laparotomy without ligation or perforation of the cecum. After 30 min of CLP, mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL), and mice in the TsadSPI treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with PBS (100 μL) containing TsadSPI (2 μg). At 12 h following modeling, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured to assess the liver and kidney functions, and the changes of the mouse kidney structure were observed using HE staining. In addition, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 expression was determined in kidney tissues using immunohistochemical staining. Results At 12 h following CLP, there were significant differences in the serum levels of ALT (F = 41.031, P < 0.001), AST (F = 54.757, P < 0.001), Cr (F = 24.142, P < 0.001) and BUN (F = 214.849, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher levels of ALT, AST, Cr and BUN were measured in model group than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.001), while lower ALT, AST, Cr and BUN levels were found in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). HE staining showed severe mouse kidney injuries following CLP, and TsadSPI treatment resulted in remarkable alleviation of the injury. ELISA measured significant differences in the TNF-α (F = 47.502, P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (F = 222.061, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and showed a remarkable reduction in the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the TsadSPI treatment group as compared to those in the model group (P < 0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in serum IL-10 (F = 16.227, P < 0.001) and TGF-β levels (F = 52.092, P < 0.001) among the three groups, and higher IL-10 and TGF-β levels were seen in the TsadSPI treatment group than in the model group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining showed greater MyD88 expression and a higher nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in kidney tissues in the model group than in the TsadSPI treatment group. Conclusions TsadSPI may reduce the MyD88 expression and nuclear positive rate of NF-κB p65 in mouse kidney tissues to up-regulate the expression of immunomodulatory factors and down-regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby protecting sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in satellite glial cells of the trigeminal ganglion contributes to substance P-mediated inflammatory pain / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Inflammatory orofacial pain, in which substance P (SP) plays an important role, is closely related to the cross-talk between trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs). SGC activation is emerging as the key mechanism underlying inflammatory pain through different signalling mechanisms, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways, and cytokine upregulation. However, in the TG, the mechanism underlying SP-mediated orofacial pain generated by SGCs is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether SP is involved in inflammatory orofacial pain by upregulating interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α from SGCs, and we explored whether MAPK signalling pathways mediate the pain process. In the present study, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected into the whisker pad of rats to induce an inflammatory model in vivo. SP was administered to SGC cultures in vitro to confirm the effect of SP. Facial expression analysis showed that pre-injection of L703,606 (an NK-1 receptor antagonist), U0126 (an inhibitor of MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] kinase [MEK] 1/2), and SB203580 (an inhibitor of P38) into the TG to induce targeted prevention of the activation of the NK-1 receptor and the phosphorylation of MAPKs significantly suppressed CFA-induced inflammatory allodynia. In addition, SP promoted SGC activation, which was proven by increased GFAP, p-MAPKs, IL-1β and TNF-α in SGCs under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, the increase in IL-1β and TNF-α was suppressed by L703, 606, U0126 and SB203580 in vivo and in vitro. These present findings suggested that SP, released from TG neurons, activated SGCs through the ERK1/2 and P38 pathways and promoted the production of IL-1β and TNF-α from SGCs, contributing to inflammatory orofacial pain associated with peripheral sensitization.

Effect of Comprehensive Therapy based on Chinese Medicine Patterns on Self-Efficacy and Effectiveness Satisfaction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of comprehensive therapy based on Chinese medicine (CM) patterns on self-efficacy and satisfaction with its effectiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).@*METHODS@#A total of 216 patients were randomly divided into the trial group (n =108) and the control group (n=108) based on the stratified and block randomization design. Patients in the trial group were treated with conventional Western medicine combined with Bufei Jianpi Granules (), Bufei Yishen Granules (), and Yiqi Zishen Granules () according to the CM patterns respectively, and patients in the control group were treated with conventional Western medicine. The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) and the Effectiveness Satisfaction Questionnaire for COPD (ESQ-COPD) were employed in a 6-month treatment and in further 6 month follow-up visit.@*RESULTS@#Among the 216 patients, 191 patients (97 in the trial group and 94 in the control group) fully completed the study. After 12-month treatment and follow-up, the mean scores of the trial group all continued to increase over time, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (P <0.05), and the improvement in the following trial group domain: negative affect domain (12.13%), intense emotional arousal domain (12.21%), physical exertion domain (11.72%), weather/environmental domain (13.77%), behavioral risk domain (7.67%) and total score (10.65%). The trial group also exhibited significantly higher mean scores in the ESQ-COPD (P <0.05) and the improvement in the following domain: capacity for life and work domain (30.59%), clinical symptoms domain (53.52%), effect of therapy domain (35.95%), convenience of therapy domain (35.54%), and whole effect domain (52.47%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Bufei Jianpi Granules, Bufei Yishen Granules and Yiqi Zishen Granules can improve the self-efficacy and satisfaction of COPD patients.

Long-term outcomes of Chiari osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in children / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore long-term outcomes of Chiari osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in children with type Catterall III or IV, and to analyze clinical effect of osteotomy angle on clinical and radiographic results.@*METHODS@#From March 2005 to July 2013, 26 children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease with type Catterall III or IV were treated by Chiari osteotomy, including 17 males and 9 females, aged from 4 to 13 years old with an average of (8.9±2.6) years old. Children were divided into low osteotomy angle group and high osteotomy angle group. according to osteotomy angle. There were 10 children in low osteotomy angle group with an osteotomy angle of 10 degrees, including 8 boys and 2 girls, aged from 4 to 13 years old with an average of (9.2±3.3) years old; while there were 16 children in high osteotomy angle group with an osteotomy angle of 15 degress, including 9 boys and 7 girls, aged from 6 to 12 years old with an average of (8.8±2.1) years old. HHS score before operation and at the latest follow-up were recorded to observe clinical results. CE angle of hip joint, acetabular index, Sharp angle, Shenton's line continuity, femoral head coverage, acetabular depth ratio were recorded to compare radiographic results. Stulberg classification was analyzed to compare reshaping ability of femoral head.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-six children were followed up for 4.5 to 12.0 years with an average of (7.9±1.8) years. All incisions were healed at stage I for 10 to 14 days, with an average of(12.3±1.1) days. No inflammation, skin necrosis and injury of vessel and nerve occurred. All osteotomies achieved bone union for 8 to 13 weeks, with an average of(9.8±1.4) weeks. HHS score increased from 75.8±6.5 before operation to 93.5±2.5 at the latest follow-up in low osteotomy angle group(<0.05), and form 77.6±6.2 to 97.8±1.6 in high osteotomy angle group (<0.05). HHS score of high osteotomy angle group at the latest follow-up was higher than that of low osteotomy angle group (<0.05). The acetabular index decreased from (10.1±2.5)° before operation to (4.5±1.3)° at the latest follow-up in low osteotomy angle group (<0.05), and from (10.7±3.3)° before operation to (2.0±1.1)° in high osteotomy angle group (<0.05). The acetabular index of high osteotomy angle group at the latest followup was better than low osteotomy angle group(<0.05). There was no significant difference in CE angle, Sharp angle, Shenton's continuity, femoral head coverage, acetabular depth ratio between two groups. According to Stulberg classification, the femoral head reshaping ability in high osteotomy angle group was better than that of low osteotomy angle group(<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Chiari osteotomy with 15° for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in children with type Catterall III or IV could effectively decrease index of acetabulum, and helpful for femoral head reshaping ability, then in further improve clinical effects.

Method for active ingredients' in vivo target identification of traditional Chinese medicine using magnetic nanoparticles / 中国中药杂志

Target identification is an important prerequisite for the study of medicine action mechanism. Currently,drug target identification is mostly based on various cell models in vitro. However,the growth microenvironment,nutrition metabolism,biological properties as well as functions are quite different between in vitro cell culture and physiological environment in vivo; wherefore,it is a challenging scientific issue to establish an effective method for identifying drug targets in vivo condition. In this study,we successfully prepared a kind of magnetic nanoparticles( MNPs) which can be chemically modified by the hydroxyl structure of natural bioactive compound echinacoside( ECH) via the epoxy group label on the surface of MNPs. Therefore,organ-selective and recoverable nanoscale target-recognizing particles were prepared. We then intravenously injected the ECH-binding MNPs into rats and distributed them to specific organs in vivo. After cell endocytosis,ECH-binding MNPs captured target proteins in situ for further analysis. Based on this method,we discovered several potential target proteins in the spleen lysates for ECH,and preliminarily clarified the immuno-regulation mechanism of ECH. Collectively,our strategy developed a proof-of-concept technology using nanoparticles for in vivo target identification,and also provided a feasible approach for drug target prediction and pharmacological mechanism exploration.