Diagnostic efficacy of joint detection of Xpert MTBRIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the diagnostic value of joint detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis rifampicin resistance gene (Xpert MTB/RIF), Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribonucleic acid (TB-RNA) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis deoxyribonucleic acid (TB-DNA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods A total of 806 patients with suspected smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis admitted to our hospital from May 2020 to July 2022 were selected, 506 patients diagnosed as bacterial negative pulmonary tuberculosis by clinical, X-ray and sputum samples were classified as bacterial negative pulmonary tuberculosis group, and the other 300 patients with non-tuberculous pulmonary disease were classified as non-tuberculous pulmonary disease group. XpertMTB/RIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all patients were detected. With clinical, X-ray and sputum specimen examination of mycobacterium tuberculosis as the gold standard, the diagnostic efficacy of alveolar lavage solution Xpert MTB/RIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA alone and in combination was analyzed. Results The positive detection rates of Xpert MTB/RIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis group and the non-tuberculosis pulmonary disease group were 69.96% (354/506) and 2.67% (8/300), 61.46% (311/506) and 5.00% (15/300), and 63.64% (322/506) and 8.00% (24/300), respectively. The rates in the smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis group were higher than those in the non-tuberculosis lung disease group, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=342.005, 246.930, 235.687, P<0.01). Compared with the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis were 69.96%, 97.33%, 80.15%, 97.79% and 65.77%, respectively; those values of TB-RNA were 61.46%, 95.00%, 73.95%, 95.40% and 59.38%, respectively; those values of TB-DNA were 63.64%, 92.00%, 74.19%, 93.06% and 60.00%, respectively; those values of combined diagnosis with Xpert MTB/RIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA were 61.26%, 100.00%, 75.68%, 100.00% and 60.48%, respectively; the specificity and positive predictive value of combined detection were higher than those of single detection (P<0.05). Conclusions The joint detection of Xpert MTB/RIF, TB-RNA and TB-DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can improve the diagnostic efficacy of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Four-Hour Fasting for Semifluids and 2-Hour Fasting for Water Improves the Patient Experience of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims@#We aimed to investigate the comfort, safety, and endoscopic visibility during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) afforded by a modified 4-hour semifluid and 2-hour water (“4+2”) fasting protocol. @*Methods@#In this parallel group, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial, outpatients undergoing unsedated diagnostic EGD from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM were randomly assigned to either a “4+2” protocol group or a conventional fasting group. The participants’ comfort during the fasting period and procedure was measured using the visual analog scale, and mucosal visibility was measured by endoscopists using the total visibility score. Satisfaction was defined as a visual analog scale score of ≤3. The primary outcome was the participants’ comfort during fasting. @*Results@#One hundred and six and 108 participants were randomized to the “4+2” protocol and control groups, respectively. Participants’ comfort before EGD was significantly higher in the “4+2” protocol group measured by both the proportion of satisfaction (86.8% vs 63.9%, p=0.002) and the visual analog scale score (median [interquartile range]: 1.0 [1.0–2.0] vs 3.0 [1.0–4.0], p<0.001). The proportion of satisfaction during EGD also significantly improved (59.4% vs 45.4%, p=0.039) in the “4+2” protocol group. The total visibility score was unaffected by the fasting protocol (5.0 [4.0–5.0] vs 4.0 [4.0–5.0], p=0.266). No adverse events were observed during the study. @*Conclusions@#The “4+2” protocol was more comfortable and provided equal mucosal visibility and safety compared with conventional fasting for unsedated EGD.

c-MYC-mediated TRIB3/P62+ aggresomes accumulation triggers paraptosis upon the combination of everolimus and ginsenoside Rh2

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is abnormally activated in lung cancer. However, the anti-lung cancer effect of mTOR inhibitors as monotherapy is modest. Here, we identified that ginsenoside Rh2, an active component of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., enhanced the anti-cancer effect of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, ginsenoside Rh2 alleviated the hepatic fat accumulation caused by everolimus in xenograft nude mice models. The combination of everolimus and ginsenoside Rh2 (labeled Eve-Rh2) induced caspase-independent cell death and cytoplasmic vacuolation in lung cancer cells, indicating that Eve-Rh2 prevented tumor progression by triggering paraptosis. Eve-Rh2 up-regulated the expression of c-MYC in cancer cells as well as tumor tissues. The increased c-MYC mediated the accumulation of tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3)/P62+ aggresomes and consequently triggered paraptosis, bypassing the classical c-MYC/MAX pathway. Our study offers a potential effective and safe strategy for the treatment of lung cancer. Moreover, we have identified a new mechanism of TRIB3/P62+ aggresomes-triggered paraptosis and revealed a unique function of c-MYC.

Myricetin inhibits interferon-γ-induced programmed death ligand-1 and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 expression in lung cancer cells / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) are immune checkpoints which can be induced by interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in the tumor microenvironment, leading to immune escape of tumors. Myricetin (MY) is a flavonoid distributed in many edible and medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect and the mechanism of MY on inhibiting IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 in lung cancer cells. METHODS Expressions of PD-L1 and major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I) were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting, and the expression of IDO1 was measured by Western blotting. qRT-PCR was used to detect their mRNA levels. The function of T cells was evaluated using a co-culture system consist of lung cancer cells and the Jurkat-PD-1 T cell line that overexpressing PD-1. Molecular docking analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for mechanism study. RESULTS MY potently inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression in human lung cancer cells, while didn't show obvious effect on the expression of MHC-I. In addition, MY restored the survival, proliferation, CD69 expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion of Jurkat-PD-1 T cells suppressed by IFN-γ-treated lung cancer cells in the co-culture system. Mechanistically, IFN-γ up-regulated PD-L1 and IDO1 at the transcriptional level through the JAK-STAT-IRF1 axis, which was targeted and inhibited by MY. CONCLUSION Our research revealed a new insight into the anti-tumor effects of MY which inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression, supporting the potential of MY in anti-tumor immunotherapy.

Nagilactone E increases PD-L1 expression through activation of c-Jun in lung cancer cells / 中国天然药物

Nagilactone E (NLE), a natural product with anticancer activities, is isolated from Podocarpus nagi. In this study, we reported that NLE increased programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions at both protein and mRNA levels in human lung cancer cells, and enhanced its localization on the cell membrane. Mechanistically, NLE increased the phosphorylation and expression of c-Jun, and promoted the localization of c-Jun in the nucleus, while silencing of c-Jun by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced NLE-induced PD-L1. Further study showed that NLE activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), the upstream of c-Jun, and its inhibitor SP600125 reversed the NLE-increased PD-L1. Moreover, NLE-induced PD-L1 increased the binding intensity of PD-1 on the cell surface. In summary, NLE upregulates the expression of PD-L1 in lung cancer cells through the activation of JNK-c-Jun axis, which has the potential to combine with the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapies in lung cancer.

Knowledge of and attitudes toward COVID-19 among parents of child dental patients during the outbreak

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of and attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the parents of child dental patients in Shenzhen during the outbreak. A structured questionnaire containing 10 questions was used, and each question had 2 or 3 possible answers. The parents of children (aged 0-14 years) who visited the dental department of our hospital last year were eligible to participate in this study. A total of 148 parents were interviewed by telephone in February 2020 by research staff. A total of 94.59% of the parents said they paid high attention to COVID-19 and explained it to their children; 66.22% thought the dental department environment was more dangerous than other public places; 91.89% believed the dental department had a higher risk of virus infection; and 83.78% said they would take their children to a dental department if the children had a severe toothache. Approximately 81.08% of the parents expressed confidence after we informed them about the preventive measures taken in the dental department to ensure safe treatment for their children. In conclusion, all parents were concerned about COVID-19, and most of them had talked about it with their children often. In addition, a considerable percentage of them would not take their children to the dental department even if they had severe dental pain and thought that the dental environment could be more dangerous than other environments. More information about this topic should be delivered to this population.

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.

Advances in research and clinical application of tumor markers in esophageal cancer / 中国实用内科杂志

Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Early symptoms of the disease are inconspicuous and the disease is often diagnosed at a later stage, leading to higher morbidity and mortality. Esophageal cancer morbidity and mortality in both genders ranks among the top 10 most common cancers. Early detection and early treatment are effective means to reduce the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer. Tumor markers play an important role in early diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognosis evaluation of esophageal cancer. This paper reviews the clinical application of tumor markers related to esophageal cancer and the exploration and application progress of new tumor markers for esophageal cancer.

Prognosis analysis of brain metastasis from esophageal cancer / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic factors of esophageal cancer with brain metastasis. METHODS: SEER Stat 8.3.5 was used to collect 39 cases of esophageal cancer with brain metastasis from 2010 to 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End RESULTS:(SEER) database. X-tile software was used to determine the best cut-off value of the age. Prognostic factors were analyzed with log-rank and Cox proportional hazard model by SPSS(v25.0). RESULTS: The median survival time of patients with esophageal cancer with brain metastasis was 7.0 months, the 6-month survival rate was 53.3%, and the 1-year survival rate was 16.3%. Only age(χ~2=4.045, P=0.044)was the prognostic factor, while there was insufficient evidence to show whether gender, marriage, race, primary site, histological grade,surgery, pathological type, T stage or N stage was associated with the prognosis of the patients. CONCLUSION: Brain metastasis is a rare metastatic type of esophageal cancer. Age is associated with worse prognosis, while the influences of other risk factors are not clear.Active treatment can lead to better prognosis.

Prognostic factors analysis and establishment of prediction model for 183 cases of esophageal cancer bone metastasis / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To construct a model for predicting the prognosis of esophageal cancer bone metastasis. METHODS: The clinical data of 183 patients with esophageal cancer bone metastasis were analyzed retrospectively, and the prognostic factors of patients were analyzed by log-rank method and Cox proportional hazard model. Nomogram was constructed with the accelerated failure-time model.RESULTS: The average survival time(10.0 months, 95% CI:7.758-12.338) of patients aged 28-70 years was longer than that of patients aged 71-91(6.4 months, 95% CI:4.365-8.428)(χ~2=4.077, P=0.043). The prognosis of unmarried patients(average 7.0 months) was worse than that of the married(10.5 months on average)(χ~2=12.841, P<0.001). As for prognoses of different pathological types, the differences between adenocarcinoma(average 10.2 months, 95% CI:7.797-12.548), squamous cell carcinoma(average 6.4 months,95%CI:3.895-8.899) and other types(average 4.0 months, 95% CI:4.000-4.000) were statistically significant(χ~2=7.171, P=0.028).There were also significant differences between the prognoses of patients with different T stage(χ~2=8.833, P=0.032). Nomogram was constructed with the risk factors above and the C-index reached 0.675(95%CI: 0.626-0.725). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of esophageal cancer bone metastasis was poor. Marriage, T stage, histological grade and pathological types were risk factors affecting prognosis, while N stage didn't appear to show obvious effect on prognosis. The nomogram was tested to have a good predictive capacity.

Establishment of a prognostic nomogram for esophageal cancer liver metastasis–a population-based analysis / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic factors related to liver metastasis of esophageal cancer and establish an effective prediction model. METHODS: The data of 464 cases of esophageal cancer with liver metastasis from 2010 to 2015 was collected from the National Cancer Institute SEER database by SEER stat 8.3.5 software. SPSS(v25.0) was used to analyze the prognostic factors of esophageal cancer liver metastasis and Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis. We introduced the meaningful variables of single factor analysis in Cox proportional hazard model and multivariate analysis and obtained the independent influencing factors of prognosis.Independent factors were then included in the accelerated failure time model to construct the nomogram. RESULTS: The mean survival time of patients in this study was 11.6 months(95%CI: 10.075-13.209), and their 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 29.4%, 5.5%, and 0,respectively. Age(HR=1.452, 95% CI: 1.175-1.795), marriage(HR=0.753, 95%CI: 0.611-0.927) and surgery(HR=0.428, 95% CI: 0.227-0.807) were independent prognostic factors for patients. We constructed the nomogram with risk factors of prognosis, and the C-index value was 0.614. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of esophageal cancer liver metastasis is poor. being young, Being married, and surgery are associated with better survival, and the nomogram we have constructed is proved to have good predictive ability.

Nomogram: an effective prognostic model for esophageal cancer with lung metastasis / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a prediction model for the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer lung metastasis.METHODS: Data from 194 patients with esophageal cancer lung metastasis from 2010 to 2015 was collected from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End RESULTS:(SEER) database. The best cutoff value for age was determined by X-tile software.Prognostic factors were analyzed by SPSS(v25.0) with the log-rank method and the Cox proportional hazard model. Risk factors from univariate analysis were used to construct prediction nomogram with R studio software(version 3.5.1). RESULTS: The median survival time of 194 patients with esophageal cancer lung metastasis was 7.0 months, the 3-month survival rate was 69.9%, and the 1-year survival rate was 27.7%. Age(HR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.066-2.140) and pathological type(HR=0.736, 95% CI: 0.543-0.998) were independent prognostic factors for patients with esophageal cancer lung metastasis. The value of C-index was 0.634(95% CI=0.585-0.683). CONCLUSION: For patients with esophageal cancer lung metastasis, being young and adenocarcinoma are associated with a better prognosis. The prediction of the nomogram is good.

Prognostic factors of esophageal cancer with multiple organ metastases and a prediction nomogram / 中国实用内科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic factors of esophageal cancer with multiple organ metastases and establish a prognostic prediction model. METHODS: Patients data were extracted from the SEER database. The clinical data of 388 patients with esophageal cancer with multiple organ metastases were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factors were analyzed by log-rank method and survival curves were drawn by K-M method. Multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model to obtain independent prognostic factors for multi-organ metastasis of esophageal cancer. A prediction nomogram was further established.RESULTS: The mean survival time of patients in this study was 7.3 months, and the survival rates for 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 15.5%,1.2%, and 0, respectively. Age was an independent prognostic factor. The value of C-index was 0.618. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of esophageal cancer with multiple organ metastases is poor. Age at the diagnosis and patterns of multiple organ metastases are related to the survival time of patients. The prediction nomogram provided a good prognosis prediction.

Current situation and prospect of early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal carcinoma / 中国实用内科杂志

In view of the high incidence of esophageal cancer in China, early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer are hot topics. This article reviews the epidemiological characteristics of esophageal cancer, and focuses on the current status and progress of early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer based on early diagnostic markers, endoscopic diagnosis, endoscopic treatment, and prophylactic treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively control and prevent esophageal cancer in China, and they are in line with the direction of esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment and meet the needs of patients.

The application of Compont gel in chronic obstructive jaundice rats model

Abstract Purpose: To establish a new rat model, the pathogenesis of which is closer to the clinical occurrence of chronic obstructive jaundice with liver fibrosis. Methods: 90 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A common bile duct ligation, group B common bile duct injection compont and group C injection saline. The serum of three groups was extracted, and the liver function was detected by ELISA. HE staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect liver pathology. Results: Group B showed a fluctuant development of jaundice, obstructive degree reached a peak at 2 weeks, and decreased from 3 weeks. HA, LA and PCIII were significantly higher than control group. 3 weeks after surgery, liver tissue fibrosis occurred in group B, and a wide range of fiber spacing was formed at 5 weeks. Immunohistochemistry showed that hepatic stellate cells were more active than the control group. Conclusion: Intra-biliary injection of Compont gel is different from the classic obstructive jaundice animal model caused by classic bile duct ligation, which can provide an ideal rat model of chronic obstructive jaundice with liver fibrosis.

Comparison of surface disinfection method on frequently touched objects in dental clinic / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To compare the bacteriostatic effect of two disinfections on the surface of frequently touched objects in dental clinic, so as to provide the reference for proper disinfection.@*Methods @#Specimens from the control panel and surface of examination table of comprehensive treatment chair were taken for bacterial culture, record the bacteria content on the objects surface. Then disinfect the objects surface by using 500 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (routing group) and Gamma disinfecting wet wipes (test group) respectively, compare the qualified rate of bacteriostasis on object surfaces between two group. @*Results @# After 10-minute disinfection on surfaces, bacteriostatic rate of routing group and test group was (91.66 ± 7.52)% and (93.87 ± 6.12)% respectively, there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion@#The quaternary ammonium disinfectant for the dental clinic objects can reach the same effect as chlorine-containing disinfectant.

An Intratracheal Challenge Murine Model of Asthma: Can Bronchial Inflammation Affect the Nose?

PURPOSE: Extensive data support the influence of the upper airway on lower airway inflammation and pathophysiology in allergic disease. However, few studies have focused on allergic inflammation in the nose after an isolated lower airway allergen challenge, a situation that can exist clinically when human subjects breathe primarily through the mouth, as occurs when nasally congested. This study used a mouse model to investigate whether upper airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness were induced by an isolated lower airway allergen challenge. METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized by systemic intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin/saline and challenged with intratracheal ovalbumin/saline. Inflammation in the nose and lungs was assessed by cytology and histology of nasal tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while nasal airway resistance and response were measured over 3 days post-challenge. RESULTS: Intratracheal application of an allergen in anaesthetized mice resulted in exclusive deposition in the lower airway. Compared to control animals, ovalbumin-sensitized mice after challenge showed bronchial hyperreactivity and increased IL-5 in the serum BALF, as well as eosinophil infiltration in the lungs. However, nasal histology of the ovalbumin-sensitized mice showed no increase in eosinophil infiltration. The nasal lavage fluid revealed no increase in eosinophils or IL-5, and the nasal airway resistance did not increase after challenge either. CONCLUSIONS: In a mouse allergy model, exclusive allergen challenge of the lower airway can elicit a pulmonary and systemic allergic response, but does not induce upper airway inflammatory or physiological responses.

DNA extraction from crayfish exoskeleton.

Crayfish exoskeleton (CE) samples are generally less invasive and easy to be collected. However, it is difficult to extract DNA from them. This study was intended to investigate CE as a DNA source and design an easy and efficient DNA extraction protocol for polymerase chain reactions. Specific primer pair (PPO-F, PPO-R) was used to amplify extracted DNA from CE, and compared to crayfish tail muscle DNA sample. Moreover, seven microsatellites markers were used to amplify the CE DNA samples set. Since the extracted DNA from CE is suitable for gene amplification, the results present usefulness of CE as an easy and convenient DNA source for PCR-based population genetic research.

Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells towards a Nucleus Pulposus-like Phenotype Utilizing Simulated Microgravity In Vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Mesenchymal stern cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration.For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype,MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group.On the day 3 of culture,cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay.Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs.The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days.The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased.The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9,aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen,which were chondrocyte specific,was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days.The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group,which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation.Independent,spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators,namely factors from TGF-β family,which were previously considered necessary.

Analysis on associated factors,diagnosis and treatment of 1700 cases with chronic pancreatitis / 中华消化杂志

Objective To retrospectively analyze diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis. Methods One thousand and seven hundreds patients with confirmed chronic pancreatitis in 21 hospitals were retrospectively studied,including their associated etiological factors,diagnostic and therapeutic methods.Results Among these patients,601 were alcoholic,576 were biliary diseases origin,which ac- counted for 35.4% and 33.9%,respectively.The most common symptom of chronic pancreatitis was abdominal pain.Some of patients accompanied by steatorrhoea and decreased body weight.Part of pa tients(239 cases)were diagnosed by histopathologic examination.Others were diagnosed by imaging techniques.Alleviation of symptoms was achieved with conservative management.Conclusions Alcohol consumption was the most common predisposing factor for chronic pancreatitis.Imaging techniques play the most important role in diagnosis of the disease,and non-operation managements were the main meth- ods for treatment of chronic pancreatitis.