Macrophage M1 polarization mediated via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway contributes to apical periodontitis induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Abstract Objective: To investigate the involvement of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway activation in macrophage polarization and bone destruction related to apical periodontitis (AP) stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis. Methodology: Macrophage polarization, IL-6/STAT3 expression, and the presence of P. gingivalis were detected in human AP tissues via RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry staining. Murine bone marrow derived macrophages were isolated and cultured with P. gingivalis W83 in vitro, and levels of macrophage IL-6 expression, STAT3 phosphorylation, and macrophage polarization with or without the selective STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitor Stattic (5 μM) were detected via ELISA, western blotting, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry, respectively. P. gingivalis-induced murine AP models were constructed, and bone destruction and macrophage polarization in the apical region were evaluated. Transwell co-culture systems were used to investigate the effects of macrophages infected with P. gingivalis on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. Results: P. gingivalis was detected in human AP tissues that highly expressed IL-6/STAT3, and the M1 subtype of macrophages was more abundant in these tissues. P. gingivalis infection induced IL-6 expression, STAT3 phosphorylation, and M1 polarization of macrophages, while 5 μM of Stattic partially abolished these activation effects. Systemic STAT3 blockade via oral administration of Stattic at a dose of 25 mg kg-1 alleviated murine periapical bone resorption and apical infiltration of M1 macrophages induced by P. gingivalis infection in vivo. Furthermore, macrophages infected with P. gingivalis promoted bone destruction via secretion of IL-6, TNF-α, and RANKL, which hinder pre-osteoblast expression of Runx2 and accelerate pre-osteoclast expression of NFAT2. Conclusions: The activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway is involved in mediating macrophages M1 polarization in the P. gingivalis induced apical inflammatory context and may also be intimately involved in the bone loss caused by P. gingivalis infection, directing the M1 macrophage infiltration during the progression of AP.

Study on factors in patients to get rid of blindness with post traumatic infectious endophthalmitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the factors affecting patients with post traumatic infectious endophthalmitis(PTIE)relieving from blindness.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 169 patients(169 eyes)with PTIE from January 2010 to December 2020 in the department of ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. After treatment of intravitreal injection of antibiotics(IVIA)and/or pars plana vitrectomy(PPV), the patients were divided into the getting rid of blindness group(103 eyes)and unilateral blindness group(66 eyes)according to the last follow-up of best correct visual acuity(BCVA)≥0.05. The factors affecting the patients to get rid of blindness were analyzed.RESULTS: The rate of relieving from blindness was 53.5%. Univariate analysis showed that BCVA before treatment ≥ hand movement, no retinal detachment, fundus grade of endophthalmitis < grade 3 and no strong virulence of infected microorganisms were beneficial for patients to get rid of blindness(P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified that BCVA before treatment ≥ hand movement(OR=0.253, 95%CI: 0.108-0.592)and no retinal detachment(OR=0.241, 95%CI: 0.103-0.564)were favorable factors for patient to get rid of blindness.CONCLUSION: Better BCVA before treatment, no retinal detachment, endophthalmitis fundus grade < 3, and no strong virulence of infected microorganisms are favorable factors for patients with PTIE to get rid of blindness finally.

Etiology and Pathogenesis of Guizhitang Syndrome Based on ″Transformation in Accord with Constitution″ Theory / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the etiology and pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome， clarify the related suspicious cases debated by doctors in the past dynasties， and provide references for the clinical application of Guizhitang. MethodUnder the guidance of the "transformation in accord with constitution" theory， the etiology and pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome were analyzed by comparing the relevant articles in the classics such as Treatise on Cold Damage （Shanghanlun） and Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （Jingui Yaolue）. ResultGuizhitang syndrome not only refers to the greater yang wind-invasion syndrome. Instead， it can be divided into two categories， i.e.， exogenous Guizhitang syndrome and miscellaneous Guizhitang syndrome. The basic etiology of exogenous Guizhitang syndrome is internal blood deficiency or yin deficiency after severe diarrhea， which is the physical basis， namely the internal cause， while the wind is the external cause that results in cold. The basic etiology of miscellaneous Guizhitang syndrome is the deficiency of blood and body fluid without the external cause. The pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome is neither weak nutrient Qi and defensive qi nor strong nutrient Qi but weak defensive Qi. It attributes to weak nutrient qi and strong defensive qi or disorder of defensive Qi. The essence of the pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome is not ″exterior deficiency″ but ″deficiency of nutrient Qi″. ″Floating Yang and weak Yin″ does not refer to the pathogenesis， but the pulse. Yang refers to the Cun pulse and Yin refers to the Chi pulse. ConclusionThe etiology and pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome are controversial among ancient and modern doctors and textbooks. Many physicians annotate this problem but few pay attention to the constitution basis. According to the ″transformation in accord with constitution″ theory， the constitution is the internal basis for the formation of diseases and syndromes. The formation of Guizhitang syndrome is underpinned by the inherent constitution. ″Transformation in accord with constitution″ theory is helpful to understand the formation mechanism of Guizhitang syndrome. A new understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of Guizhitang syndrome based on the ″transformation in accord with constitution″ theory is helpful to reveal the use principle of Guizhitang by ZHANG Zhong-jing. The exploration of the formation mechanism of various syndromes of six-meridian diseases and miscellaneous diseases， as well as the original idea of ZHANG Zhong-jing's prescriptions from the ″transformation in accord with constitution″ theory can provide a new idea for the understanding of ZHANG Zhong-jing's theory.

Efficacy of Spleen-invigorating Chinese Medicinals in Repairing Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Injury： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

As the first line of defense between the intestinal environment and the outside world， the intestinal mucosal barrier is essential for maintaining the intestinal homeostasis. The intestinal mucosal barrier injury will change the intestinal permeability and allow bacterial translocation and the entry of endotoxins into blood， thus triggering a series of inflammatory responses， followed by the injury of related tissues and the aggravation of primary diseases. The spleen， the acquired foundation， is responsible for maintaining the internal and external balance of the body and resisting external evils. Its physiological function is similar to that of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Spleen deficiency easily leads to intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. Therefore， replenishing Qi， invigorating spleen， and restoring the efficacy of spleen and stomach qi in defensing and governing transportation and transformation are the keys to prevent and treat intestinal mucosal barrier injury. In recent years， studies have shown that the spleen-invigorating Chinese medicinals repair the intestinal mucosal injury by promoting the expression of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins， regulating the intestinal immune function， microbial flora， and metabolites， and supplementing the intestinal nutrition， enabling them to gradually become a research hotspot. After reviewing the relevant articles published in China and abroad， this paper expounded the common syndrome types of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the changes in intestinal mucosal barrier induced by spleen deficiency， the repairing effects of spleen-invigorating Chinese medicinals on intestinal mucosal barrier injury， in order to provide some clues for the research on the treatment of intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-related diseases with spleen-invigorating Chinese medicinals.

Value of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in Evaluating K-W Nodule Formation in Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To discuss the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)parameters in evaluating the formation of Kimmelstiel-Wilson(K-W)nodules in diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Sixty-two patients pathologically diagnosed with DN and undergoing CEUS in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2017 to January 2020 were assigned into two groups according to whether K-W nodules were formed.The cortical CEUS parameters and the ratios of cortical to medullary CEUS parameters were compared between the two groups.Results The 62 patients included 19 patients without K-W nodules(group A)and 43 patients with K-W nodules(group B).The median rise time(

Chrysin inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell by regulating NF-κB/Twist 1 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to assess whether chrysin(ChR) can inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell and produce anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect by regulating the NF-κB/Twist 1 signaling pathway. Sixty rats were randomly divided into the control group, the bleomycin(BLC) group, BLC+ChR(50 mg·kg~(-1)) group and BLC+ChR(100 mg·kg~(-1)) group, with 15 rats in each group. The pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by intratracheal injection of BLC(7 500 U·kg~(-1)). Rats were orally administered with different doses of ChR after BLC injection for 28 days. The cells were divided into control group, TGF-β1 group(5 ng·mL~(-1)), and TGF-β1+ChR(1, 10, 100 μmol·L~(-1)) groups. The type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells were treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h, and then treated with TGF-β1 for 48 h in the presence or absence of different doses of ChR(1, 10 and 100 μmol·L~(-1)). The morphological changes and collagen deposition in lung tissues were analyzed by HE staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ, E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(IκBα), nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65), phospho-NF-κB p65(p-p65) and Twist 1 in lung tissues and cells were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The animal experiment results showed that as compared with the BLC group, after administration of ChR for 28 days, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats was significantly relieved, collagen Ⅰ expression in lung tissues was significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and EMT of alveolar epithelial cells was obviously inhibited [the expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1 were increased and the expression levels of vimentin and α-SMA were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)], concomitantly with significantly reduced IκBα and p65 phosphorylation level in cytoplasm and decreased NF-κB p65 and Twist 1 expression in nucleus(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The cell experiment results showed that different doses of ChR(1, 10 and 100 μmol·L~(-1)) significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen Ⅰ expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01), significantly inhibited EMT of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells[the expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1 were increased and the expression levels of vimentin and α-SMA were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)], and inhibited IκBα and p65 phosphorylation in cytoplasm and down-regulated NF-κB p65 and Twist 1 expression in nucleus induced by TGF-β1(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results suggest that ChR can reverse EMT of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell and alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and its mechanism may be associated with reducing IκBα phosphorylation and inhibiting NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear transfer, thus down-regulating Twist 1 expression.

Advance in Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can inhibit or alleviate pain by blocking pain signal transmission, interfering with pain pathway, activating opioid pathway, stimulating locus coeruleus system and regulating γ-aminobutyric acid ergic. It is applied in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP), such as post-herpetic neuralgia, failed back surgery syndrome, phantom limb pain, painful diabetic neuropathy, head and facial neuropathic pain, pudendal neuralgia, etc.

Application of intervertebral foramen endoscopy BEIS technique in the lumbar spine surgery failure syndrome over 60 years old / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the mid-term efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of nucleus pulposus by intervertebral foramen endoscopy BEIS technique in the treatment of lumbar spine surgery failure syndrome over 60 years old.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 40 patients over 60 years old with lumbar spine surgery failure syndrome admitted from January 2010 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 34 males and 6 females, aged from 60 to 76 years old with an average of 66 years, the courses of disease ranged from 10 months to 4 years. The patients were divided into two groups (BEIS group and revision group) according to the different surgery. The intervertebral foramen endoscopy BEIS technique and the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) were performed in BEIS group and revision group respectively. There was no significant difference in general data such as sex, age, course of disease, surgical segment between two groups(>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, bed rest time after operation and hospitalization time were observed between two groups. At preoperative, postoperative 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, visual analogue scale(VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score(JOA) were used to compare the efficacy.@*RESULTS@#The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, bed rest time after operation and hospitalization time in BEIS group were (60.2±10.3) min, (60.1±4.5) ml, (2.2±1.5) d, (4.04±1.40) d, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of revision group (<0.05). The VAS and JOA scores of the two groups at different time after operation were significantly improved (<0.05), and there was statistically significant difference between two groups (<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Radiofrequency ablation of nucleus pulposus by intervertebral foramen endoscopy BEIS technique is more effective than TLIF revision in the treatment of lumbar spine surgery failure syndrome over 60 years old. It has advantages of shorter operation time, less bleeding, shorter bed rest after operation and hospitalization time, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of Different Method-induced Ankle Dorsiflexion on Ankle Dorsiflexion Function for Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To compare the effect of two kinds of methods inducing ankle dorsiflexion on ankle dorsiflexion function for stroke patients. Methods:From September, 2016 to September, 2018, 60 patients with disorders of ankle active dorsiflexion after stroke were randomly divided into groups A, B and C, who accepted routine rehabilitation, tapping-zone therapy and tapping Qiuxu acupoint (GB40), respectively, for six weeks. They were assessed with three-dimensional gait analysis and surface electromyography before and after treatment. Results:The range of motion of the affected ankle, the peak torque of ankle and integrated electromyography of tibialis anterior muscle increased after treatment (t > 2.318, P < 0.05), and it ranked from best to worst as group C, group B and group A (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Both tapping-zone therapy and tapping Qiuxu may promote the recovery of ankle dorsiflexion in stroke patients, and the latter seems better.

Analysis of 2 cases of fetal congenital omphalo-enteric fistula with intestinal prolapse diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prenatal ultrasonographic manifestations of fetal congenital omphalo-enteric fistula with intestinal prolapse and improve the understanding and diagnosis of this disease.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the prenatal ultrasonographic features was performed in 2 cases of fetal congenital omphalo-enteric fistula with intestinal prolapse comnfirmed after surgery between July 2016 and September 2017 in First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University,and the ultrasonographic manifestations were compared with postnatal looks and intraoperative conditions.Characteristics of prenatal ultrasonographic manifestations were summarized.RESULTS: Both cases were misdiagnosed as omphalocele by prenatal ultrasonography.Congenital omphalo-enteric fistula with intestinal prolapse was verified by surgery after delivery.A narrow pedicle,special bowel-shape and incomplete capsule were its prenatal ultrasonic characteristics.CONCLUSION: Fetal congenital omphalo-enteric fistula with intestinal prolapse is rare,but has particular prenatal ultrasonographic manifestations. Strengthening the understanding of the disease,reducing misdiagnosis and improving prenatal ultrasound diagnosis will provide help for prenatal counseling and clinical choice for time of delivery.

Carotid Plaque Stiffness Measured with Supersonic Shear Imaging and Its Correlation with Serum Homocysteine Level in Ischemic Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the feasibility of using shear wave velocity (SWV) in assessing the stiffness of carotid plaque by supersonic shear imaging (SSI) and explore preliminary clinical value for such evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Supersonic shear imaging was performed in 142 patients with ischemic stroke, including 76 males and 66 females with mean age of 66 years (range, 45–80 years). The maximum, minimum, and mean values of SWV were measured for 129 carotid plaques. SWVs were compared between echolucent and echogenic plaques. Correlations between SWVs and serum homocysteine levels were investigated. Based on neurological symptom, the surrogate marker of vulnerable plaque (VP), binary logistic regression was performed and area under curve (AUC) of homocysteine only and homocysteine combing SWVmean was calculated respectively. RESULTS: Echogenic plaques (n = 51) had higher SWVs than echolucent ones (n = 78) (SWVmin 3.91 [3.24–4.17] m/s vs. 1.51 [1.04–1.94] m/s; SWVmean, 4.29 [3.98–4.57] m/s vs. 2.09 [1.69–2.41] m/s; SWVmax, 4.67 [4.33–4.86] m/s vs. 2.62 [2.32–3.31] m/s all p values < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed that stiffness of plaques was negatively correlated with homocysteine level. R values for SWVmin, SWVmean, and SWVmax were −0.205, −0.213, and −0.199, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that sex (p = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.015), triglycerides (p = 0.011), SWVmean (p = 0.004), and hyper-homocysteinemia (p = 0.010) were significantly associated with symptomatic ischemic stroke. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that SWVmean combing serum homocysteine level (AUC = 0.67) presented better diagnostic value than serum homocysteine only (AUC = 0.60) for symptomatic ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: Supersonic shear imaging could be used to quantitatively evaluate stiffness of both echolucent and echogenic carotid plaques. More importantly, SWVs of plaques were not only correlated to serum homocysteine level, but also associated with symptomatic ischemic stroke, suggesting that SSI might be useful for understanding more about VP.

Analysis of Anxiety Status of Nursing Students Before Practice and its Influence Factors / 中国医院管理

Objective To understand the mental health status of the nursing students,and to discuss the factors influencing the degree of anxiety before practice.Methods Questionnaire survey was conducted on nursing students from 10 classes in 2013 grade of nursing in a secondarytechnical school and 5 classes in higher vacation.A total of 578 valid questionnaires were acquired at last.SPSS19.0 was used to conduct statistical analysis.Results Nursing students' mental health problems,except interpersonal sensitivity and depression,are higher than national youth norm before practice (P＜0.05).The anxiety level of nursing students is associated with the personality characteristics and the age of nursing students.Through regression analysis,the result shows that education,source place of students and only children has more significant effect on the degree of anxiety and there is of statistical significant difference (P＜0.05).Conclusion A better understand of the factor producing anxiety is needed,in order to provide a theoretical basis for psychological counseling and nursing education of nursing students.

An evaluation on visual quality for patients with high myopia complicated with cataract post intraocular lens implantation by using double-pass optical quality analysis system / 中国医学装备

Objective: To analyze and explore the application of duable-pass optical quality analysis system(OQAS) on the evaluation of visual quality for patients with high myopia complicated with cataract who received intraocular lens implantation. Methods: The documents of 93 patients with high myopia complicated with cataract were collected in the retrospective analysis. And all of patients received ultrasonic emulsification and intraocular lens implantation. And then the visual situation and the changes of PSF, OSI, MTF, MTFcutoff, SR, OV100%, OV20%and OV9%were evaluated by using double-pass OQAS at three points included pre-operation, 1week of post-operation and 1month of post-operation. Results: After treatment, the visual situation of patients were significantly improved, and the differences of visual situations among pre-operation, 1 week of post-operation and 1 month of post operation were significant (F=6.831, P<0.05). And the differences of OSI, PSF and OV9%between the before and after treatment were significant (F=6.732, F=9.102, F=5.029, P<0.05), respectively. While the differences of MTFcutoff, SR, OV100%and OV20% between the two groups were no significant. Under the conditions of 5 cpd and 10 cpd of MTF, the differences of MTF among pre-operation, 1 week post operation and 1month post operation were significant (F=8.029, F=4.039, P<0.05), respectively. Besides, at 1 week post-operation and 1month post-operation, the differences among 5cpd, 10cpd and 15cpd were significant(F=7.829, F=6.921, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: After the patients with high myopia complicated with cataract receive intraocular lens implantation of ultrasonic emulsification, the visual analysis system of dual channel can preferably evaluate the visual quality of patients, and can objectively reflect aberration, scattering and diffraction, etc. Therefore, it is worthy to be popularized and applied.

Multi-dimensional evaluation on management effectiveness of safe injec-tion in a tertiary general hospital / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To explore scientific and effective management methods for safe injection,provide reference for improving compliance rate of safe injection behavior and achieving continuous improvement in safe injection. Methods A special safety injection program was formulated,baseline survey and safe injection-related training were carried out,safe injection system and standard procedures were formulated,on-site supervision and examination were strengthened,quantitative indexes such as qualified rate of safe injection facilities,theoretical examination re-sult,behavior compliance rate,and occurrence rate of sharp injury before intervention (baseline survey in May 2016)and after intervention (2017)were compared.Results Through comprehensive intervention,facilities alloca-tion rates of safe injection in whole hospital were all＞97%,qualified rates of all medical waste disposal were all＞93%,actual average consumption of alcohol-based hand rub in the whole hospital increased from (5.56±2.13) mL/bed-day to (9.95±5.38)mL/bed-day;the average score of safety injection knowledge examination of health care workers(HCWs)increased from (71.20±12.22)before intervention to (92.59±5.99)after intervention;HCWs’compliance rate to safe injection increased from 62.50% before intervention to 88.53% after intervention, difference were all statistically significant (P＜0.05).Reporting rate of sharp injuries in the whole hospital within a week increased from 15.79% before intervention to 71.43% after intervention;occurrence rate of case incidence of sharp injuries in the whole year and 100-day hospitalization decreased from 9.98% and 0.0276% before intervention to 5.31% and 0.0168% after intervention respectively,differences were both statistically significant (both P＜0.05).Conclusion Effective comprehensive intervention measures can strengthen the awareness of safe injection, improve compliance rate of safe injection behavior,effectively prevent the occurrence of occupational injuries in HC-Ws caused by unsafe injection,and prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infection.

Comparison of Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery and Breast-Conserving Surgery Alone: A Meta-Analysis / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The use of oncoplastic reconstruction for breast-conserving surgery (BCS) extends benefits beyond merely minimizing poor cosmetic results. However, the feasibility and oncological safety of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) are controversial. METHODS: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the short-term and long-term oncological outcomes of BCS alone and BCS plus OPS. Relevant studies published before July 2017 in the Embase, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were screened and collected. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA software (Stata Corp.). RESULTS: A total of 3,789 patients from 11 studies were included, with 2,691 patients in the BCS-alone group and 1,098 patients in the BCS plus OPS group. The demographics were similar between both groups, and no significant difference was observed in pathological T and N stages between the two groups. Re-excision was less common (relative risk [RR], 0.66; p=0.009) and the positive-margin rate was lower, but not significantly (RR, 0.83; p=0.191), in the BCS plus OPS group than in the BCS-alone group. The local and distal recurrence rates were similar in both groups. Both disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–1.49; p=0.112) and overall survival (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.76–1.69; p=0.527) did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A combination of BCS and OPS is preferred over BCS alone for decreasing re-excisions and provides similar long-term survival as BCS alone in patients with breast cancer.

Hepatic Cyp1a2 Expression Reduction during Inflammation Elicited in a Rat Model of Intermittent Hypoxia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is a key element of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that can lead to disorders in the liver. In this study, IH was established in a rat model to examine its effects on the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) and CYP regulators, including nuclear receptors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to analyze the general pathology of the liver of rats exposed to IH. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, CYPs, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and nuclear factors in the liver were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found inflammatory infiltrates in the liver of rats exposed to IH. The mRNA expression level of interleukin-1beta was increased in the liver of the IH-exposed rats (0.005 ± 0.001 vs. 0.038 ± 0.008, P = 0.042), whereas the mRNA expression level of Cyp1a2 was downregulated (0.022 ± 0.002 vs. 0.0050 ± 0.0002, P = 0.029). The hepatic level of transcription factor NF-κB was also reduced in the IH group relative to that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant and was parallel to the expression of the pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor. However, the decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor upon IH treatment was statistically significant (0.056 ± 0.012 vs. 0.032 ± 0.005, P = 0.035).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results indicate a decrease in expression of hepatic CYPs and their regulator GR in rats exposed to IH. Therefore, this should be noted for patients on medication, especially those on drugs metabolized via the hepatic system, and close attention should be paid to the liver function of patients with OSA-associated IH.</p>

Influence of continuity care on how to deal with medical waste among domestic patients of insulin injections / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the influence of continuity care model on how to deal with medical waste of insulin injections among domestic patients Methods Consecutive diabetes patients using the home insulin injections were recruited as the the members of our Diabetes Education Classfrom September 2014 to March 2015. The home medical waste disposal was brought into the content of diabetes education;problems were intervened through the continuity care model. Using the questionnaire survey to investigate the cognitive and disposal of patients on medical waste, to compare the difference of results of questionnaire before and after the intervention. Results The cognitive rate of medical waste after intervention was 97.70%(212/217),while the cognitive rate before intervention was 3.69%(8/217), the difference was significant (χ2=383.63,P<0.01). Disposal of diabetes patients using the home insulin injections had improved after the continuity care, the rate of dealing with medical waste according to specification after the intervention was 91.24% (198/217),while the rate before the intervention was 3.23%(7/217), the difference was significant (χ2=337.26,P<0.01). Conclusions The continuity care model standardized the behavior of patients for disposal of medical waste, reduced the environment pollution of medical waste and decreased the spread of disease.

Preterm Births in Peking Union Medical College Hospital in the Past 25 Years / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the changes in preterm birth rate,its gestational age distribution,and possible contributors in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) over the last 25-year period. Methods The clinical data of premature deliveries,both singleton and twins,in PUMCH from January 1,1990 to December 31,2014 were retrospectively analyzed. We counted the number of premature fetuses and assessed the changes of preterm birth rate and its gestational age distribution (including extremely preterm birth,early preterm birth,and late preterm birth) over time. The etiologies (including spontaneous and iatrogenic) of preterm birth were also surveyed. Results The overall preterm birth rate was 7.8% in PUMCH,showing a slightly up-trend in both singletons and twins. Twin prematurity accounted for 23.8% of total preterm births,increased from 15.1% to 28.5%. Preterm births subgrouped by gestational age included 26 cases (0.7%) of extreme prematurity (<28 weeks),1199 cases (33.9%) of early preterm birth (28- 33weeks),and 2310 cases (65.3%) of late preterm birth (34- 36weeks). The gestational age distribution in singletons and twins showed no significant difference(z=0.844,P=0.398). Changes in the proportion of preterm birth before 28 weeks was little,gradually increased in the 28- 33weeks group (from 23.8% to 36.1%) and gradually decreased in the 34- 36weeks group (from 75.5% to 63.3%). Trends of gestational age distribution of singleton and twins were similar to that of the total. Spontaneous preterm labor,preterm premature rupture of membrane,and medically indicated (iatrogenic) preterm birth accounted for 20.2%,38.9%,and 40.9% respectively. There was no difference in singletons and twins(χ=1.071,P=0.301).The proportion of iatrogenic preterm was increased. Common reasons for iatrogenic preterm birth included gestational hypertension,fetal indications (including fetal distress,fetal growth restriction),placenta previa,and pregnancy complicated by heart disease. Conclusions The overall preterm birth rate shows an upward trend in the general hospital as a result of more multifetal gestations and more medically indicated preterm births. Reducing multifetal gestations and effective control of pregnancy complications should be the priorieties in preterm birth intervention.

Correlation of serum cystatin C with blood pressure: a cross-sectional study of 912 subjects / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the association between serum cystatin C level and blood pressure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a cross-sectional study of 912 subjects randomly sampled from a cohort visiting for routine physical examinations. The epidemiological data were obtained using questionnaires and from the database of physical examination results. Pearson analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between blood pressure and cystatin C.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of serum cystatin C differed significantly among the normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive subjects (P<0.05). Pearson analysis revealed that regardless of gender, serum cystatin C was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, MAP, BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C, UA and BUN (P<0.05). With MAP, SBP and DBP as dependent variables, multiple stepwise regression analysis of the factors affecting blood pressure indicated that cystatin C had the strongest effect on SBP and MAP (P<0.05) but did not significantly affect DBP (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum cystatin C level is significantly correlated with SBP and MAP and can be used as a biomarker for alert of hypertension.</p>

Antiviral effect of emodin from Rheum palmatum against coxsakievirus B5 and human respiratory syncytial virus in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Viral infections are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly people and young children throughout the world. The most common pathogens include coxsackie virus (CV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, no antiviral agents with low toxicity and drug resistance are currently available in clinic therapy. The present study aimed to examine the antiviral activities of emodin (an ingredient of Rheum palmatum) against CVB5 and RSV infections, in an attempt to discover new antiviral agents for virus infection. The monomer emodin was extracted and isolated from Rheum palmatum. The antiviral activities of emodin on HEp-2 cells were evaluated, including virus replication inhibition, virucidal and anti-absorption effects, by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tet-razolium bromide (MTT) assay and plaque reduction assay (PRA). The kinetics of virus inhibition by emodin in a period of 14 h was further determined by plaque assay and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α) mRNA expressions after emodin treatment (7.5, 15, 30 μmol/L) were also assessed by qPCR post-infection. The results showed that emodin had potent inhibitory activities against CVB5 and RSV, with the 50% effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 13.06 to 14.27 μmol/L and selectivity index (SI) being 5.38-6.41 μmol/L. However, emodin couldn't directly inactivate the viruses or block their absorption to cells. It acted as a biological synthesis inhibitor against CVB4 and RSV in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, especially during the first 0-4 h post-infection. Moreover, emodin could decrease the mRNA expression of IFN-α but enhance TNF-γ expression significantly compared to the viral controls in vitro. Our results provide a molecular basis for development of emodin as a novel and safe antiviral agent for human enterovirus and respiratory virus infection in the clinical therapy.