Head-to-head comparisons of enhanced CT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in identifying adverse pathology of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Objectives: Accurate preoperative prediction of adverse pathology is crucial for treatment planning of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Previous studies have emphasized the potential of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) in differentiating between benign and malignant localized renal tumors. However, there is a scarcity of case reports elucidating the identification of aggressive pathological features using PET/CT. Our study was designed to prospectively compare the diagnostic value of enhanced CT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with necrosis or sarcomatoid or rhabdoid differentiation. Materials and Methods: A prospective case series of patients with a newly diagnosed renal mass who underwent enhanced CT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-FDG PET/CT within 30 days prior to nephrectomy was included. Complete preoperative and postoperative clinicopathological data were recorded. Patients who received neoadjuvant targeted therapy, declined enhanced CT or PET/CT scanning, refused surgical treatment or had non-ccRCC pathological indications were excluded. Radiological parameters were compared within subgroups of pathological characteristics. Bonferroni corrections were used to adjust for multiple testing and statistical significance was set at a p-value less than 0.017. Results: Seventy-two patients were available for the final analysis. Enhanced CT demonstrated poor performance in identifying necrosis, sarcomatoid or rhabdoid differentiation and adverse pathology (all P > 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was more effective than 18F-FDG PET/CT in identifying tumor necrosis and adverse pathology, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (cutoff value=25.26, p<0.001; Delong test z=2.709, p=0.007) for tumor necrosis and AUC of 0.90 (cutoff value=25.26, p<0.001; Delong test z=3.433, p<0.001) for adverse pathology. However, no significant statistical difference was found between 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting sarcomatoid or rhabdoid feature (AUC of 0.91 vs.0.75, Delong test z=1.998, p=0.046). Subgroup analyses based on age, sex, tumor location, maximal diameter, stage and WHO/ISUP grade demonstrated that 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT SUVmax had a significant predictive value for adverse pathology. Enhanced CT value and SUVmax demonstrated strong reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.80], indicating a robust correlation. Conclusions: 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT demonstrates distinct advantages in identifying aggressive pathological features of primary ccRCC when compared to enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT. Further research and assessment are warranted to fully establish the clinical utility of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in ccRCC.

Circular RNA expression profiles and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA crosstalk in pre-eclamptic placenta / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective: To identify the expression profile of circular RNA (circRNA) in placenta of pre-eclampsia (PE) pregnant women by high-throughput sequencing, and to construct the circRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) interaction network, so as to reveal the related pathways and regulatory mechanisms of PE. Methods: The clinical data and placentas of 42 women with PE (PE group) and 30 normal pregnant women (control group) who delivered in West China Second University Hospital from November 2019 to June 2021 were collected. (1) High-throughput sequencing was used to establish the differentially expressed circRNA profiles in placental tissues of 5 pairs of PE group and the control group. (2) Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the expression levels of 6 differentially expressed circRNAs in placental tissues of PE group and control group. (3) Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the target miRNA and analyze the co-expressed mRNA to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. The differentially expressed circRNAs were analyzed by Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways. (4) Logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation and Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis were used to test the correlation between the three differentially expressed circRNAs and the risk of PE and clinical characteristics. (5) circRNA_05393 was selected for subsequent functional study. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and overexpression plasmid were used to knock down or increase the expression level of circRNA_05393 in trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo cells, respectively. Transwell assay was used to detect the migration and invasion ability of the trophoblasts in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of the trophoblasts. Results: (1) Seventy-two differentially expressed circRNAs were identified by high-throughput sequencing, of which 35 were up-regulated and 37 were down-regulated. (2) qRT-PCR showed that compared with the control group, circRNA_00673 (1.306±0.168 vs 2.059±0.242; t=2.356, P=0.021) and circRNA_07796 (1.275±0.232 vs 1.954±0.230; t=2.018, P=0.047) were significantly increased, while circRNA_05393 (1.846±0.377 vs 0.790±0.094; t=3.138, P=0.002) was significantly decreased. (3) The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network contained 3 circRNAs, 8 miRNAs and 53 mRNAs. GO functional annotation analysis showed that the biological process was mainly enriched in iron ion homeostasis, membrane depolarization during action potential and neuronal action potential. In terms of cellular components, they were mainly enriched in cytoskeleton and membrane components. In terms of molecular function, they were mainly enriched in the activity of voltage-gated sodium channel and basic amino acid transmembrane transporter. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that mRNAs in the interaction network were mainly enriched in complement and coagulation cascade, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, p53 signaling pathway and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway. (4) Logistic regression analysis showed that down-regulation of circRNA_05393 expression was a risk factor for PE (OR=0.044, 95%CI: 0.003-0.596; P=0.019). Correlation analysis showed that circRNA_05393 was significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in PE pregnant women (both P<0.05). (5) Knock down or overexpression of circRNA_05393 significantly reduced or increased the migration and invasion abilities of HTR-8/SVneo cells (all P<0.05), but had no significant effect on the ability of tube formation and proliferation (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The construction of circRNA expression profile in placenta and the exploration of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network provide the possibility to reveal the regulatory mechanism of specific circRNA involved in PE. Inhibition of circRNA_05393 may induce the progression of PE by reducing the migration and invasion of trophoblasts.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway on migration ability of HaCaT cells and full-thickness skin defects in mice / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway on the migration ability of HaCaT cells and full-thickness skin defects in mice. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. According to the random number table (the same below), HaCaT cells were divided into the normal oxygen group and the hypoxia group cultured under hypoxia (with oxygen volume fraction of 1%, the same below) condition. After 24 hours of culture, the significantly differentially expressed genes between the 2 groups were screened using the microarray confidence analysis software SAM4.01. The significance of the number of each gene in the signaling pathway was analyzed through the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes to screen the significantly differentially signaling pathways (n=3). HaCaT cells were cultured for 0 (immediately), 3, 6, 12, and 24 h under hypoxia condition. The secretion level of TNF-α was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the number of samples was 5. HaCaT cells were divided into normal oxygen group, hypoxia alone group, and hypoxia+inhibitor group cultured with FR180204 (an ERK inhibitor) and under hypoxia condition. The cells were cultured for 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The migration ability of the cells was detected by scratch test (n=12). The expressions of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), N-cadherin, and E-cadherin in HaCaT cells were detected by Western blotting under hypoxic condition for 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h (n=3). Sixty-four BALB/c male mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were used to make a full-thickness skin defect wound model on the dorsum of the mice. The mice were divided into the blank control group and the inhibitor group treated with FR180204, with 32 mice in each group being treated accordingly. On post injury day (PID) 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15, the wound conditions of mice were observed and the healing rate was calculated (n=8). On PID 1, 3, 6, and 15, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe neovascularization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and epidermal regeneration on wound, Masson staining was used to observe collagen deposition on wound, the expressions of p-NF-κB, p-p38, p-ERK12, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin in wound tissue were detected by Western blotting (n=6), the number of Ki67 positive cells and the absorbance value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by immunohistochemistry (n=5), the protein expressions of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-1β, and CCL20 in wound tissue were detected by ELISA (n=6). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, factorial design analysis of variance, Tukey test, least significant difference test, and independent sample t test. Results: After 24 hours of culture, compared with normal oxygen group, 7 667 genes were up-regulated and 7 174 genes were down-regulated in cells in hypoxic group. Among the above differentially expressed genes, the TNF-α signaling pathway had significant change (P<0.05) with large number of genes. Under hypoxia condition, the expression of TNF-α at 24 h of cell culture was (11.1±2.1) pg/mL, which was significantly higher than (1.9±0.3) pg/mL at 0 h (P<0.05). Compared with normal oxygen group, the migration ability of cells in hypoxia alone group was significantly enhanced at 6, 12, and 24 h of cell culture (with t values of 2.27, 4.65, and 4.67, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with hypoxia alone group, the migration ability of cells in hypoxia+inhibitor group was significantly decreased at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of cell culture (with t values of 2.43, 3.06, 4.62, and 8.14, respectively, P<0.05). Under hypoxia condition, the expressions of p-NF-κB, p-ERK1/2, and N-cadherin were increased significantly at 12 and 24 h of cell culture compared with 0 h of culture (P<0.05), the expression of p-p38 was significantly increased at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of cell culture (P<0.05), the expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased at 6, 12, and 24 h of cell culture (P<0.05), the expression of p-ERK1/2, p-NF-κB, and E-cadherin was time-dependent. Compared with blank control group, on PID 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15, the wound healing rate of mice in inhibitor group was significantly decreased (P<0.05); there were more inflammatory cell infiltration around the wound edge of mice in inhibitor group on PID 3, 6, and 15, especially on PID 15, a large number of tissue necrosis and discontinuous new epidermal layer were observed on the wound surface, and collagen synthesis and new blood vessels were reduced; the expression of p-NF-κB in the wound of mice in inhibitor group was significantly decreased on PID 3 and 6 (with t values of 3.26 and 4.26, respectively, P<0.05) but significantly increased on PID 15 (t=3.25, P<0.05), the expressions of p-p38 and N-cadherin were significantly decreased on PID 1, 3, and 6 (with t values of 4.89, 2.98, 3.98, 9.51, 11.69, and 4.10, respectively, P<0.05), the expression of p-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased on PID 1, 3, 6, and 15 (with t values of 26.69, 3.63, 5.12, and 5.14, respectively, P<0.05), the expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased on PID 1 (t=20.67, P<0.05) but significantly increased on PID 6 (t=2.90, P<0.05); the number of Ki67 positive cells and absorbance value of VEGF of wound in inhibitor group were significantly decreased on PID 3, 6, and 15 (with t values of 4.20, 7.35, 3.34, 4.14, 3.20, and 3.73, respectively, P<0.05); the expression of IL-10 in the wound tissue of the inhibitor group was significantly decreased on PID 6 (t=2.92, P<0.05), the expression of IL-6 was significantly increased on PID 6 (t=2.73, P<0.05), the expression of IL-1β was significantly increased on PID 15 (t=3.46, P<0.05), and CCL20 expression levels were significantly decreased on PID 1 and 6 (with t values of 3.96 and 2.63, respectively, P<0.05) but significantly increased on PID 15 (t=3.68, P<0.05). Conclusions: The TNF-α/ERK pathway can promote the migration of HaCaT cells, and regulate the healing of full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice by affecting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

Dose-response relationships of resistance exercise intensity in frail elderly: a systematic review / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To systematically evaluate the dose-response relationships of resistance exercise intensity in frail elderly.Methods:A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials on the dose-response relationships of resistance exercise for frail elderly in PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database. The documents that met the conditions were screened out, and after the data were extracted and the quality of the documents were evaluated, the RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta analysis.Results:A total of 10 eligible randomized controlled trials were included in this study. The subjects of the study were 454 cases of frail and pre-frail elderly. After Meta analysis, there was a dose-response relationships between the training intensity of resistance exercise and the muscle strength, muscle endurance, and physical function of frail elderly. Both low-intensity and high-intensity resistance exercises can significantly increase the leg muscle strength of frail elderly people ( MD=4.58, 95% CI 3.34-5.82, P<0.05) and muscle endurance ( MD=12.27, 95% CI 6.54-17.99, P<0.05). Compared with low-intensity resistance exercise, high-intensity resistance exercise increased leg muscle strength of frail elderly people ( MD=7.97, 95% CI 0.85-15.09, P<0.05) and muscle endurance ( MD=6.94, 95% CI 5.21-8.66, P<0.05) showed more obvious advantages. The analysis of the results of the chair sitting test and the stairs climbing test shows that low-intensity resistance exercise has no obvious advantage in improving the physical function of frail elderly people, while high-intensity resistance exercise can significantly improve the physical function of frail elderly people ( MD=-5.8, 95% CI -7.3--4.29, P<0.05; MD=-1.20, 95% CI-2.17--0.23, P<0.05). Conclusions:Resistance exercise can significantly improve the muscle strength, muscle endurance and physical function of the frail elderly. High-intensity resistance exercise is more effective than low-intensity resistance exercise.

Overlapping Stents-Assisted Coiling for Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm : LVIS Stent within Neuroform EZ Stent

Objective@#: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an overlapped stenting-assisted coiling technique in treating vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) via Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent. @*Methods@#: From January 2017 to June 2019, 18 consecutive patients with VADAs (ruptured : unruptured=5 : 13) were treated with the overlapping stents assisted-coiling technique in our center. The overlapping manner was a Neuroform EZ stent being deployed first, followed by LVIS stents placement using the ‘shelf’ technique. The patients’ clinical characteristics, technical feasibility and safety, and immediate and follow-up angiographic results were retrospectively reviewed. @*Results@#: Seventeen (94.4%) procedures were technically successful with an exact deployment of the stents and patent parent or perforator arteries. The immediate angiographies after procedure confirmed Raymond class I, II, and III occlusion of VADAs were in 12 (66.7%), two (11.1%), and four cases (22.2%), respectively. Post-procedural complications developed in one patient (5.6%) with minor brainstem infarctions, which resulted from an in-stent thrombosis during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up at 5.7 months (range 3 to 9 months) demonstrated Raymond class I and II occlusion were in all cases (100%). The modified Rankin Scale scores at 21.3 months (range 15 to 42 months) 0–2 in 17 cases (94.4%) and three in one case (5.6%). @*Conclusion@#: Overlapping stents via LVIS stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent combined with coiling is safe and effective for patients with VADA in the midterm results.

Determination of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry / 上海预防医学

Objective To develop a new method for the simultaneous determination of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in water by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet(DLLME-SFO)with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Methods The experimental conditions of DLLME-SFO were determined with dodecanol as extractant solvent, methanol as dispersive solvent, inonic strength increased by adding 8% NaCl. After vortexed for 1 min and centrifuged at 4 000 r/min for 5 min, the water sample was cooled down in an ice bath till dodecanol became solid and formed a small ball. Then the solidified dodecanol phase was transferred, and directly detected by GC-MS method after it melted. Results Good linearities were obtained for the seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within the range of 5 μg/L-200 μg/L. The correlation coefficients were above 0.996. The detection limits ranged from 1.6 ng/L to 3.2 ng/L. The average recoveries ranged from 86.2% to 105% and the RSDs from 3.8% to 9.4%. Conclusion The method is sensitive, fast and simple. It has the advantage of little organic solvent consumption, which is friendly to environment and suitable for the detection of seven PAHs in water.

Quality of Life in Old Patients with Dysphagia and Its Related Factors / 中国康复理论与实践

objective To investigate the quality of life in old patients with dysphagia and the related factors. Methods:From January to December, 2019, 523 old inpatients were selected and investigated with Swallowing-Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL), Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and FRIED scale. Results:There were 160 inpatients diagnosed dysphagia (30.59%). The total score of SWAL-QOL in the inpatients with dysphagia was (45.15±13.31), and the dimension scores from low to high were appetite, social function, swallowing symptoms, mental health, sleep, eating fear, eating time, fatigue, swallowing burden and communication. For the total score of SWAL-QOL, EAT-10 score ≥ 19 was the risk factor, while good health condition and accepting swallowing treatment were the protective factors. Conclusion:The quality of life is poor for the old inpatients with dysphagia, and early screening and intervention for dysphagia are needed.

Effects of apple polyphenols on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats and its mechanism / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of apple polyphenols on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:control (Con) group, monocrotaline (MCT) group, apple polyphenol (APP) group,monocrotaline + apple polyphenol (MCT+APP) group. In Con group, rats received a subcutaneous injection of physical saline. In APP group, rats received intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg APP, every other day. In MCT group, rats received a single subcutaneous injection of MCT(60 mg/kg). In MCT+APP group, rats received subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg MCT followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg APP every other day. All the disposal lasted 3 weeks. Then the PAH-relevant indicators, such as mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) ,wall thickness (WT%) and wall area (WA%) were tested. After that, the inflammatory pathway related indicators, such as interleukin1(IL-1),interleukin1(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2) and myeloperoxidase(MPO) in pulmonary tissue and free intracellular Ca in pulmonary smooth muscle cell(PASMC), content of eNOS and NO in endothelial cells were determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the levels of mPAP, PVR, RVHI, WA%, WT%, and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, MPO in tissue and the expression of Ca in PASMC of MCT group were increased significantly, while the contents of eNOS and NO in endothelial cells were decreased significantly (P＜0.05). Compared with the MCT group, the apple polyphenol treatment could improve the above mentioned situation, and the COX-2 and Ca indicators of the apple polyphenol treatment group were decreased significantly (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#MCT can increase COX-2 expression and intracellular Ca in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, decrease the contents of eNOS and NO in endothelial cells, while apple polyphenols can significantly inhibit these effects.

Analysis of frailty and its influencing factors in inpatients with type 2 diabetes / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To investigate the status of frailty in elderly inpatients with type 2 diabetes and its influencing factors.@*Methods@#Collected 126 cases hospitalized elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (from September 2017 to August 2018) general information, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), comorbidity, nutritional assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the frailty scale, multiariable Logistic regression was used for the analysis of frailty influence factors.@*Results@#38.1% (48/126) of elderly in patients with diabetes had no frailty, 25.4% (32/126) of patients with pre-frailty, and 36.5% (46/126) of patients with frailty. Logistic regression analysis showed that poor nutritional status, cognitive impairment and lower scores of instrumental daily living ability were the main risk factors for frailty in elderly diabetes.@*Conclusion@#Among elderly in patients with diabetes, the incidence of frailty is high, suggesting that clinical medical staff should identify frailty patients as early as possible, strengthen the integrated management of elderly in patients with diabetes through the multidisciplinary cooperation model, provide individualized guidance, reduce and delay the occurrence of frailty in elderly patients with diabetes.

Analysis of frailty and its influencing factors in inpatients with type 2 diabetes / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the status of frailty in elderly inpatients with type 2 diabetes and its influencing factors. Methods Collected 126 cases hospitalized elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (from September 2017 to August 2018) general information, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), comorbidity, nutritional assessment,Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the frailty scale , multiariable Logistic regression was used for the analysis of frailty influence factors. Results 38.1% (48/126) of elderly in patients with diabetes had no frailty, 25.4% (32/126) of patients with pre-frailty, and 36.5% (46/126) of patients with frailty. Logistic regression analysis showed that poor nutritional status, cognitive impairment and lower scores of instrumental daily living ability were the main risk factors for frailty in elderly diabetes. Conclusion Among elderly in patients with diabetes, the incidence of frailty is high, suggesting that clinical medical staff should identify frailty patients as early as possible, strengthen the integrated management of elderly in patients with diabetes through the multidisciplinary cooperation model, provide individualized guidance, reduce and delay the occurrence of frailty in elderly patients with diabetes.

Ropivacaine promotes apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through damaging mitochondria and activating caspase-3 activity

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences indicated that some local anaesthetic agents played a role in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells; Whether ropivacaine is able to promote apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ropivacaine on the apoptosis of HCC cells. METHODS: In the present study, we treated the HCC cell lines, Bel7402 and HLE with ropivacaine. MTT, DAPI stain, trypan blue exclusion dye assay, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, computational simulation, laser confocal microscope, Western blotting, and enzyme activity analysis of caspase-3 were applied to detect the growth and apoptosis of HCC cells and to explore the role mechanism of ropivacaine. RESULTS: Ropivacaine was able to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of HCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ropivacaine also has a trait to inhibit the migration of HCC cells; ropivacaine damaged the mitochondria of HCC cells. The results also indicated that ropivacaine was able to interact with caspase-3, promote cytoplasmic caspase-3 migration into the nucleus, stimulate cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP-1, caspase-9 proteins, inhibit the expression of Bcl-2, promote expression of Apaf-1 and mitochondria release cytochrome C, and activate the activity of caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine has a novel role in promoting apoptosis of HCC cells; The role mechanism of ropivacaine maybe involve in damaging the function of mitochondria and activating the caspase-3 signalling pathway in HCC cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the local anaesthetic agents in the therapy of HCC patients.

Effect of rgs4 overexpression on related protein expression of mglur5-mediated signaling pathway in methamphetamine-dependent rat striatum / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of the regulator of G-protein signaling 4(RGS4) overexpression in rat striatum on the related protein expression of metabolic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5) signaling pathway and the conditioned place preference(CPP) behavior in rats, by establishing the METH-dependent CPP model. Methods Rats were divided into five groups: Normal, normal saline(NS), METH, Ad5-RGS4-EGFP and Ad5-EGFP group. Normal group was without any administration, while the striatum of the other groups were respectively stereotactic injected with phosphate buffer methamphetamine (METH)-depardent soline (PBS), PBS, overexpressed adenovirus vector Ad5-RGS4-EGFP and negative control adenovirus vector Ad5-EGFP. The CPP behavior of rats in each group was analyzed. The expression of RGS4, mGluR5, Gαq, PLC1 was measured in rat striatum tissue by Western blot. Results The difference of CPP in Ad5-RGS4-EGFP group decreased compared with that in METH group and Ad5-EGFP group(P 0.05). PLCβ1 expression changed with no significant difference. Conclusions RGS4 overexpression in striatum is able to alleviate the CPP behavior in METH-dependent rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the overexpression of RGS4 in METH-dependent rat striatum, which could down-regulate the mGluR5-mediated Gαq and PLCβ1 signaling pathway.

Balloon dilation of epidermolysis bullosa-related esophageal strictures: A report of two cases

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a very rare inherited disease featured with skin blistering resulting from minor trauma. Sometimes the esophageal mucosa could also be involved, which leads to esophageal strictures. Here we report two cases of EB-related esophageal strictures who were successfully treated with esophageal balloon dilations. The two cases with EB had severe dysphagia. Clinical examination showed signs of malnutrition, skin blisters and loss of toenails due to EB. They underwent careful fluoroscopic balloon dilation with 10- and 16-mm-sized balloon catheters, respectively. They could ingest soft and some solid foods after the procedure and maintained during the 20 months and 16 months follow-up periods.

Microwave ablation for hyperparathyroidism of forearm transplanted autograft: A report of two cases and review of literature / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the treatment effect and technical safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for hyperparathyroidism of forearm transplanted autograft. Methods Two patients who had undergone parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (PTX+AT) and maintenance hemodialysis were diagnosed as having hyperparathyroidism of forearm transplanted autograft based on the increased serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and aggravated accompanying symptoms. The multimodal high frequency ultrasound was performed to examine the autografts, and ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was used to treat the hyperparathyroidism of the patients. Curative effect and symptoms of the patients were observed after treatment. Results Ultrasonography clearly showed the location, number, size and blood perfusion of the parathyroid gland autografts in the forearm of the two patients. After measuring the levels of iPTH in the transplanted tissues of the two patients, one with the lowest iPTH level was retained and the others were treated with microwave ablation, and the ablation treatment was technically successful. In the two patients, 5 and 4 parathyroid gland autografts were ablated and the largest ones were 15 mm×6 mm and 13 mm×5 mm, respectively. The levels of iPTH on the graft side and non-graft side were 87.3 ng/L and 79.6 ng/L, and 66.3 ng/L and 65.2 ng/L after 1 day of microwave ablation, respectively. During the follow-up period of 1 year after microwave ablation, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels of the two patients were decreased and remained stable, bone and joint pains were relieved, and no numbness or abnormal movement of fingers and wrist joints were found in the transplanted side. Conclusion Hyperparathyroidism of forearm transplanted autograft can occur after PTX+AT. Microwave ablation is effective and safe in the treatment of the hyperparathyroidism.

Research progress of microRNAs on development and function regulation of macrophages / 中国免疫学杂志

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of non-coding single stranded RNAs molecules formed with length of 18-25 nt, which play an important role in the maturation,development,proliferation,differentiation and activation of immune cells,as well as antibody production,immune response and release of inflammatory mediators.Macrophages are members of the innate immune system and also involved in the initiation and effector processes of adaptive immune responses.MiRNAs have drawn a lot of attention to the bio-logical processes in development,activation,differentiation and senescence of macrophage.In this paper,the influences of miRNAs in development,polarization,function and apoptosis of macrophages,and macrophage-related diseases were reviewed in order to provide theoretical references for the related research of miRNAs and macrophages.

Value of thromboelastography in predicting thromboembolic complications in patients with intracranial an-eurysms after stent-assisted coiling / 医学研究生学报

Objective Few researches have been reported about thromboelastography(TEG)in detecting the complications after stent-assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysms. This study aimed to investigate the value of TEG in predicting thromboembolic complications in patients with intracranial aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 152 cases of intracranial aneurysms undergoing stent-assisted coiling in our department,18 with and 134 without thrombosis. We assessed the effects of antiplatelet drugs by TEG,recorded the general data and postoperative complications,and identified the po-tential risk factors for thromboembolic complications by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The incidence rate of aspi-rin resistance was significantly lower than that of clopidogrel resistance(10.5% vs 30.3%,P<0.05). Thromboembolic complications were observed in 18 patients during the perioperative and follow-up periods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the in-dependent risk factors for thromboembolic complications were the maximum amplitude of TEG(OR=1.152,95% CI:1.002-1.300, P=0.021)and aspirin resistance(OR=4.945,95% CI:1.408-17.375,P=0.013). Conclusion TEG is effective in evaluating the effects of antiplatelet drugs in patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing stent-assisted coiling. Elevated maximum amplitude of TEG and aspirin resistance may increase the risk of thromboembolic complications.

Efficacy of elastic intramedullary nail versus locking plate fixation in the treatment of middle clavicle fracture / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: For the treatment of middle clavicle fractures, elastic intramedullary nailing has gradually gained everyone's approval because of its small incision and short operation time. Locking plate fixation is currently the main surgical treatment. At present, there are a few comparative studies on the results of the two surgical treatments, but the results are still controversial. In particular, there is a lack of comparative studies on long-term efficacy and complications. OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical results and complications of locking plate and elastic intramedullary nailing for middle clavicular fracture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 85 patients with middle clavicular fractures who were hospitalized at the Army General Hospital of Second Medical College of Southern Medical University from June 2014 to June 2015 undergoing surgeries was performed. They were divided into two groups randomly: locking plate group (n=62) and elastic intramedullary nailing group (n=23). The incision length, operation time, blood loss and time of hospital staying were compared between the two groups. Regular follow-up, radiography assessment and postoperative complications and shoulder function score were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Incision length, operation time, blood loss and time of hospital staying were significantly better in the elastic intramedullary nailing group than in the locking plate group (P < 0.05). (2) The complications of the elastic intramedullary nailing group were significantly lower than that of the locking plate group (P < 0.05). The main complications of locking plate group were superficial wound infection, hypesthesia in the local incision and implant protuberance. Only two patients in the intramedullary nailing group experienced complications. (3) The healing rate of elastic intramedullary nailing group was higher than that of the locking plate group, which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). (4) The DASH scores and the Constant-Murley scores of the two groups after operation were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). (5) The elastic intramedullary nailing and locking plate are both effective methods for the treatment of middle clavicular fracture. Incision length, operation time, blood loss and average length of hospital stay have obvious advantages; the incidence of complications is low; and recovery is fast in the elastic intramedullary nailing group. However, elastic nail may stimulate the local skin, causing some impact for the patients' daily life.

Mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of a new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:A new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh was developed in our previous research.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of the new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh.METHODS:The tensile strength of the compound hernia mesh was detected using a textile detector.Mouse fibroblasts (L929) were cultured with the compound hernia mesh,and cell structures on the mesh surface were observed under electron microscope at 1,3,5 days after culture.In addition,L929 cells were co-cultured with compound hernia mesh,polypropylene patch,and polyester patch,respectively.Cells cultured alone were used as negative controls.After 1,3,5 days of culture,MTS array was used to detect cell proliferation and evaluate cytotoxicity;after 3 days of culture,western blot was used to detect the content of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagens.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average tensile strength of the compound hernia mesh was 31.2 N The number of fibroblasts on the nanofibrous layer of the compound hernia mesh increased as long as cultured.The cells spread along the nanofibers and pseudopodia extended from the cells formed polygon and fusiform structures,with a good cross-linking with the mesh.A complete cell layer covered all pores of the nanofibers at 5 days.The cytotoxicity of the nanofibrous layer of the compound hernia mesh was graded 0,and the cytotoxicity was graded 1 of polypropylene and polyester patches.All the three kinds of patches fulfilled the implantation requirements,and the compound hernia mesh had better biological properties.No significant differences were found among groups in the contents of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagens at 3 days of culture.To conclude,the new-type nano-bionic anti-adhesion hernia mesh has good mechanical properties and cytocompatibility.

Research in rheological properties of four types of ophthalmic preparations / 药学学报

This study is prepared to provide the basis of rheological parameters for the additional quality standard of ophthalmic gels, the rheological properties of the ophthalmic gels and the other three types of ophthalmic preparations. The medicines were compared through the study of the rheological properties for four types of ophthalmic preparations. The cone-plate rheometer was used to determine the dynamic and steady rheological parameters of four types of ophthalmic preparations. The similarities and differences of the measured results were analyzed to summarize the rheological indexes and parameters which are applied to distinguish the ophthalmic gels and the other types of ophthalmic preparations. ① The elastic modulus should be greater than the viscous modulus for the ophthalmic gels in the range of the linear viscoelastic region. ② The ophthalmic gels should be shear thinning non-Newtonian fluid with a certain yield stress and thixotropy. ③ The dynamic viscosity of the ophthalmic gels should be greater than 0.5 Pa·S at the temperature of 25℃ with the 50 s-1 shear rate. The typical rheological indexes and parameters of the ophthalmic gels were proposed in this article. The determination methods are simple and feasible. The rheological indexes and parameters have an important significance in the prescription design, production technology and quality control of the ophthalmic gels.

Role of NADPH oxidase in high fat-induced oxidative stress injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in high fat-induced oxidative stress injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods HUVECs were exposed to different concentrations of palmitic acid(0.1,0.2,0.4,0.8 mmol · L-1) for 24 h and different time points of 0.4 mmol · L-1 palmitic acid(0,12,24,48 h).Cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit 8,and the protein expression of NADPH oxidase subunits such as p22phox,p47phox,p67phox and gp91phox were determined by Western blot.The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HUVECs was detected by immunofluorescence.Results Cell proliferation rate of HUVECs stimulated by 0.4 mmol · L-1 palmitic acid for 24 h and 48 h was significantly reduced.In the next experiment,model group was accordingly set as HUVECs stimulated by 0.4 mmol · L-1 palmitic acid for 24 h.The expression of NADPH oxidase subunits such as p22phox,p47phox,p67phox and gp91phox significantly increased at 24 h and 48 h after 0.4 mmol· L-1 palmitic acid stimulation (P ＜ 0.05),and the difference.between the 24 h group and the 48 h group was not significant (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of ROS in HUVECs significantly increased at 24 h and 48 h after O.4 mmol · L-1 palmitic acid stimulation (P ＜ 0.05),and the difference between 24 h group and 48 h group was not significant (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the model group (0.4 mmol · L-1 palmitic acid stimulation for 24 h),the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium (DPI,10 μmol · L-1) pretreatment could significantly decrease the expression of ROS in vascular endothelial cells (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Activated NADPH oxidase might play an important role in treatment of high fat-induced oxidative stress injury in vascular endothelial cells.