Identification and expression analysis of flavonoid O-methyltransferases gene family in Artemisia argyi / 药学学报

italic>Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) is a Chinese herbal medicine in China. The main active components are volatile oils, flavonoids, and other compounds, which have various pharmacological activities. Methoxylated flavonoids are the main active ingredients in A. argyi. Flavonoid O-methyltransferase (FOMT) is a key enzyme in the O-methylation of flavonoids. In order to further understand the function and characteristics of FOMT proteins, this paper carried out the whole genome mining and identification of FOMT genes in A. argyi and performed phylogenetic, chromosomal localization, gene sequence characterization, subcellular localization prediction, protein structure, gene structure analysis, and expression pattern analysis. The results showed that a total of 83 FOMT genes were identified in the genome of A. argyi. The phylogenetic tree shows that FOMT genes are divided into two subgroups, CCoAOMT (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase) subfamily (32 genes) and COMT (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase) subfamily (51 genes). Gene sequence analysis showed that the number of amino acids encoded by FOMT was 70-734 aa, the molecular weight was 25 296.55-34 241.3 Da, and the isoelectric point was 4.51-9.99. Compared with 32 members of the CCoAOMT subfamily, nearly 1/3 of the 51 members of the COMT subfamily were hydrophobic proteins and 2/3 were hydrophilic proteins. Subcellular localization prediction showed that more than 80% of CCoAOMT subfamily members were located in the cytoplasm, and 96% of COMT subfamily members were located in the chloroplast. COMT subfamily members have more motifs than CCoAOMT subfamily members. The N-terminal motifs of COMT subfamily proteins are relatively variable, while the C-terminal motifs are relatively conserved. Expression pattern analysis showed that CCoAOMT subfamily members were mainly expressed in roots, while COMT members were mainly expressed in leaves. Some FOMTs showed the tissue expression specificity by real-time quantitative PCR analysis, especially in leaves. In this study, we identified and analyzed the FOMT gene family in A. argyi, and provided a theoretical basis for further research on the function of FOMTs and the biosynthesis of methylated flavonoids in A. argyi.

Research progress on the regulation and mechanism of reactive oxygen species on tumor immune checkpoints / 药学学报

Immune checkpoints (ICs) are immunosuppressive molecules expressed on immune cells, which can regulate immune cells' activation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) which can block the interaction of immune checkpoints and their ligands, improve the cytotoxic effect of the immune system on tumor cells. Immunotherapy such as employing ICIs has gradually become a conventional therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. However, the low response rate and the emergence of drug resistance have seriously affected the clinical efficacy of ICIs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are electronic reduction products of active oxygen, as well as natural by-products of cell metabolism, which can be used as regulators of intercellular signals. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is often in the state of oxidative stress (OS), which is the imbalance between oxidative system and antioxidant system. ROS can affect the interaction with its ligands by regulating the expression and activity of immune checkpoints in TME, thus affecting the anti-tumor effect of immune cells. Accumulating studies have shown that ROS could regulate tumor immune checkpoints through several pathways. Due to different types and stages of tumor, it would be clinical beneficial to understand the mechanistic link of ROS on tumor immune checkpoint, and choose appropriate ROS regulators combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors to maximize anti-tumor effects. This article reviews the common metabolic sources and characteristics of ROS, the regulatory effect and mechanism of ROS on tumor immune checkpoints and its therapeutic application.

Cognition and Ability of Emergency Physicians for Palliative Care in Tertiary Hospitals / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To understand the cognition and related abilities of emergency physicians for palliative care in China. Methods A total of 115 emergency physicians were selected by convenient sampling to conduct a questionnaire survey.The questionnaire included the physicians' basic information,feelings and attitudes towards end-stage patients and their families,cognition of palliative care,and personal ability for palliative care. Results 25.2%,59.1%,and 15.7% of the emergency physicians considered they had "no understanding","partial understanding",and "full understanding" of palliative care,respectively.32(27.8%)physicians participated in palliative care-related lectures and they showed higher self-rated cognition levels(

Outpatient Clinic Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care in Peking Union Medical College Hospital / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To share the outpatient clinic practice of hospice and palliative care at the Department of Geriatrics,Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis on the consecutive clinic data of doctor N in Geriatric Outpatient Clinic,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1,2016 to December 31,2019.The patients aged 85 years and older,as well as those with end stage malignant tumor,non-tumor dysfunction due to chronic diseases or primary diseases without effective treatment were defined as patients with palliative care need.The basic information,symptoms,consultation purposes and treatments of these patients were collected.Results Among the 2502 visits during the study period,1388 patients with palliative care needs were admitted and recorded,with an average age of(69.7±13.5)years(8-105 years),among which 73.3% were patients over 60 years old and 712(51.3%)were males.Among these patients,63.4% visited specifically to seek for palliative care service and 87.2% of the visits were due to distress caused by advanced malignant tumors.Of the 221 patients with non-tumor diseases,frailty and neurodegenerative diseases were the leading life-threating cause.Of the 5483 symptoms recorded,pain(21.2%),anorexia(13.1%),fatigue(11.6%),constipation(6.9%),insomnia(4.6%),and abdominal distension(4.6%)were the six common symptoms.In the 2502 visits,26.2% of the patients had mutiple visits,and 50.3% of the patients with multiple visits had more than three visits;38.6% of patients visited the clinic themselves,and 65.7% of visits were attended by two or more family members(including the patients).The average duration of visit was(19.6±8.5)min(2-85 min),and 13.5%,53.0%,25.6% and 7.9% of the patients completed the consultation within 10,11-20,21-30 and over 30 min,respectively.Conclusion There is strong demand of palliative care in the outpatient clinic of Department of Geriatrics in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and it is feasible to provide palliative care service for patients with serious diseases in geriatric outpatient clinics.

Precision evaluatation of personalized knee osteotomy instrument based on 3D printing technology for the total knee arthroplasty / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To construct a personalized knee osteotomy instrument(POI)based on 3D printing technology for the total knee arthroplasty(TKA)and to evaluate the precision of POI.Methods The full-length CT scanning and MRI scanning of the affected lower limbs were performed before operation respectively.The data fusion of CT scanning and MRI scanning were performed with the 3D anatomical data,and then the articular cartilage were reconstructed.The force lines were measured with virtual personalized osteotomy,and TKA prosthe-sis installation were calculated by CAD software.Based on CAD mimic,the registration surface of POI for femoral condyle and tibial plateau were designed by Boolean Subraction calculation technique.The shape and limit structure(LS)of POI were designed according to the regis-tration surface and the osteotomy surface.Finally,POI were fabricated by FDM 3D printing technology.Femoral condylar POI and tibial plat-eau POI were manufactured 15 cases in each group.The difference between design and actual values(DDA)of POI and LS size were meas-ured with the DDA of DML calculated.And the deviation of the TKA prosthesis angle from the design value was measured to verify the precision of the osteotomy of POI.Results There was no significant difference in the shape of POI and LS between design and actual values(P>0.05). Moreover,there was no significant difference of DMLs(P>0.05).Meanwhile,there was no significant difference of TKA prosthesis angle be-tween the design and postoperative values(P>0.05).Conclusion 3D printing technique can accurately construct the POI of TKA.POI can accurately register the articular surface and guide the osteotomy in TKA,which is conducive to the precision of TKA operation.

Increased Serum High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Concentration and the Altered Expression of HMGB1 and Its Receptor Advanced Glycation Endproducts in Pemphigus

No abstract available.

Urodynamic characteristics and clinical interventions of neurogenic bladder following cerebrovascular accident / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the urodynamic characteristics of neurogenic bladder caused by cerebrovascular accident and to evaluate its clinical intervention efficacy. Methods From March 2007 to July 2011, 40 patients with cerebrovascular accident-associated neurogenic bladder underwent a complete urodynamic study with electromyography. Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively and the urine dynamics characteristics were summarized. Clinical interventions were given to the patients based on the urine dynamics characteristics and the clinical efficacies were observed. Results Twenty-three patients (57. 5%) had detrusor overactivity, 5 (12. 5%) had acontractile detrusor, 36 (90%) had security bladder, 2 (5%) had upper urinary tract dilation, and no patients had detrusor-externalsphincter dyssynergia. After clinical interventions based on urodynamic characteristics, water disappeared in 1 patient with upper urinary tract dilation and reduced in the other. The quality of life (QOL) score was 3.4±1.0 at 2 weeks after clinical interentions, which was significantly lower than that before intervention (4.4±0.6, P<0.01). QOL score was 2.9±0.8 at 3 months after interventions, which was significantly lower than those before and at 2 weeks after interventions (all P<0. 01). Conclusion Detrusor overactivity is the main urodynamic characteristic of cerebrovascular accident-associated neurogenic bladder, and detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia, reflux and upper urinary tract dilation are rarely seen. Clinical interventions based on urodynamic characteristics can protect renal function and improve the QOL of the patients.

Ultrasound guidance for brachial plexus block decreases the incidence of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis or vascular punctures and improves success rate of brachial plexus nerve block compared with peripheral nerve stimulator in adults / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The use of traditional techniques (such as landmark techniques, paresthesia and peripheral nerve stimulator) for upper-limb anesthesia has often been restricted to the expert or enthusiast, which was blind. Recently, ultrasound (US) has been applied to differ blood vessel, pleura and nerve, thus may reduce the risk of complications while have a high rate of success. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of ultrasound guidance (vs. peripheral nerve stimulator, (PNS)) decreases risk of vascular puncture, risk of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis and risk of Horner syndrome and improves the success rate of nerve block.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A search strategy was developed to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) reporting on complications of US and PNS guidance for upper-extremity peripheral nerve blocks (brachial plexus) in adults available through PubMed databases, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase databases, SinoMed databases and Wanfang data (date up to 2011-12-20). Two independent reviewers appraised eligible studies and extracted data. Risk ratios (OR) were calculated for each outcome and presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with the software of Review Manager 5.1.0 System (Cochrane Library).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen trials involving 1321 adults met our criteria were included for analysis. Blocks performed using US guidance were more likely to be successful (risk ratio (RR) for block success 0.36, 95%CI 0.23 - 0.56, P < 0.00001), decreased incidence of vascular puncture during block performance (RR 0.13, 95%CI 0.06 - 0.27, P < 0.00001), decreased the risk of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis (RR 0.09, 95%CI 0.03 - 0.52, P = 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>US decreases risks of complete hemi-diaphragmatic paresis or vascular puncture and improves success rate of brachial plexus nerve block compared with techniques that utilize PNS for nerve localization. Larger studies are needed to determine whether or not the use of US can decrease risk of neurologic complications.</p>

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion versus posterior open-surgery in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis / 中华骨科杂志

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical results between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar(mini-TLIF) and posterior open surgery in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.MethodsFrom March 2008 to August 2010,a total of 49 cases with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively analyzed,including 23 cases with mini-TLIF and 26 with open surgery.Operation time,intra-operative bleeding,and radiation exposure times were recorded.Pre- and postoperative back pain was assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS),and lumbar function was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI).The clinical results were assessed by Macnab criterion,and the pre and postoperative radiologic parameters were compared.ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 11 months(ranged,9-22).Both groups got good clinical results and satisfactory radiologic parameters.The group of mini-TLIF was superior to the group of open surgery in intra-operative bleeding,VAS of the second day postoperatively and the willingness of reoperation(P＜0.05).The ODI in the patients with open surgery were decreased from 31.2％±8.2％ to 16.1％±6.8％ corresponding to the pre-oporation and the final follow-up.The ODI in the patients with mini-TLIF were decreased from 34.4％±11.7％ to 15.3％±4.3％ corresponding to the pre-operation and the final follow-up.There is no significant difference of the change of ODI between two groups (t=0.673,P=0.412).The group of mini-TLIF need more operation time and were exposed to more X-ray when compared to the open surgery group(P＜0.05).ConclusionMini-TLIF and open surgery can both get satisfactory clinical outcomes in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.Mini-TLIF was superior to open surgery in intra-operative bleeding and VAS of the second day postoperatively,but it needs more operation time and radiation exposure.

Corrective surgery of congenital scoliosis with type II split spinal cord malformation / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the corrective results of congenital scoliosis with type II split spinal cord malformation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By reviewing the medical records and roentgenograms of congenital scoliosis patients with type II split spinal cord malformation that underwent corrective surgery, septum location and length, curve type, coronal and sagittal Cobb's angles, apical vertebral rotation and translation, and trunk shift were measured and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 23 congenital scoliosis patients with type II split spinal cord malformation were studied, 6 cases were due to failure of segmentation, 8 cases due to failure of formation, and the remaining 9 cases due to mixed defects. The fibrous septums were located in the thoracic spine in 8 patients, lumbar spine in 4 patients, thoracic and lumbar spine in 10 patients, and from cervical to lumbar spine in 1 patient The septum extended an average of 4.9 segments. Corrective surgeries included anterior correction with instrumentation in 2 patients, posterior correction with instrumentation in 11 patients, anterior release and posterior correction with instrumentation in 6 patients, anterior and posterior resection of the hemivertebra and posterior correction with instrumentation in 4 patients. The pre- and postoperative coronal Cobb's angles, apical vertebral translations, apical vertebral rotations, trunk shifts were 61.9 degrees and 32.5 degrees (P < 0.001), 48.9 mm and 31.5 mm (P < 0.001), 1.2 and 1.1, 12.7 mm and 8.2 mm, respectively. The average correction rate of coronal Cobb's angle was 47.5%. The sagittal balance was also well improved. The fibrous septums were all left in situ. There was no neurological complication.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For congenital scoliosis with type II split spinal cord malformation, positive correction results with no neurological complication may be obtained without resection of the fibrous septum.</p>

Treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids with circular stapler / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of circumferential mucosectomy procedure for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids (PPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2001 to June 2003, 74 patients (27 men and 47 women) with an average age of 57 years (ranging from 31 to 80 years), with prolapsed hemorrhoids III - IV degree underwent PPH using a circular stapler.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>69 (93.2%) patients were fully satisfied with results. Two patients underwent simultaneous rectal polypectomy along with PPH hence required analgesic treatment for 5 days. Three patients experienced bleeding during or after operation, 1 case bleeding was due to ulcerative hemorrhoid, while the bleeding the remaining 2 cases was (bleeding about 300 ml) caused by insufficient anastomosis, thus extending operating time to 1 hour. The average operation time (70 patients) was 13 minutes (range 10 - 15 minutes). The mean hospitalization was 3.5 days (2 - 4 days), with exception of 2 patients lasting 1 week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PPH is a safe, effective and rapid method for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids, The procedure causes minimal pain with decreased complications.</p>