Analysis of the pollution status of paralytic shellfish poisons in shellfish sold in Hainan Province, 2018-2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the pollution of paralytic shellfish poisons (PSP) in shellfish sold in Hainan Province from 2018 to 2021. Methods　From 2018 to 2021, the content of 10 paralytic shellfish poisons including saxitoxin (STX), neosaxitoxin (neoSTX), gonyautoxins 1 (GTX1), gonyautoxins 2 (GTX2), gonyautoxins 3 (GTX3), gonyautoxins 4 (GTX4), gonyautoxins 5 (GTX5), decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX), decarbamoylgonyau toxins 2 (dcGTX2) and decarbamoylgonyau toxins 3 (dcGTX3) in 7 kinds of shellfish commonly sold in 13 cities and counties in Hainan province was analyzed. Results　The detection rate of PSP in 360 shellfish samples was 10.3%. Among them, the highest detection rate of STX was 5.83%, followed by GTX2 detection rate of 4.17%; the detection rate of neoSTX and GTX3 were both 1.67%; the detection rate of GTX1 was 1.39%. None of the five PSP, GTX4, GTX5, dcSTX, dcGTX2 and dcGTX3, were detected. Four types of PSP were detected in fanscallops, two were detected in oysters, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata, only one was detected in scallops, and no toxin contamination was detected in clams and razor clams. A single sample of fanscallops detected a maximum of 4 PSP, and a single sample of oysters, scallops, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata detected a maximum of 1 PSP. The equivalence of PSP in all samples was ND-155.6 μg/kg.The annual detection rate of PSP from high to low was: 20.0% in 2020, 15.6% in 2019, 5.3% in 2018, and 2.0% in 2021, and none of the samples tested exceeded the standard. Continuously detectable STX in 2018-2020, all PSP that could be detected in 2018 were STX. In 2019, in addition to STX detected in scallops and Scapharca subcrenata, neoSTX was also detected in oysters, mussels and Scapharca subcrenata. In 2020, PSP was only detected from scallops, and GTX2 could be detected in all positive specimens, while 5 STX, 5 GTX1 and 6 GTX3 were detected. Only GTX2 detected from scallops in 2021. STX was detected in shellfish sold in 12 cities and counties, GTX2 can be detected in 10 cities and counties, neoSTX can be detected in 5 cities and counties, GTX1 and GTX2 were detected in 4 cities and counties respectively. Shellfish sold in Wenchang and Lingshui markets can detect 5 types of PSP. Conclusion　Some types of shellfish on the market in Hainan are contaminated with some kind of PSP pollution risks, and it is necessary to strengthen the supervision of PSP in marketed shellfish.

The use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I in assessing cardiac involvement and Disease prognosis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy

Abstract Objectives Cardiac involvement is one of the most serious complications of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) that indicates poor prognosis. However, there is a lack of effective biomarkers for the identification of cardiac involvement and the prediction of prognosis in IIM. Here, we aimed to explore the value of different cardiac biomarkers in IIM patients. Methods A total of 142 IIM patients in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital from July 2019 to October 2022 were included in this study. The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatments and prognosis were recorded. The disease activity was assessed according to the core set measures. The correlations of the serum cardiac biomarkers levels with disease activity were analyzed by the Spearman correlation test. Risk factors for cardiac involvement were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels were associated with cardiac involvement (n = 41) in IIM patients [adjusted OR 7.810 (95% CI: 1.962-31.097); p = 0.004], independent of other serum cardiac biomarkers. The abnormal hs-cTnI had the highest AUC for distinguishing of cardiac involvement in IIM patients (AUC = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.772,0.924; p < 0.001). Besides, we found that high serum levels of hs-cTnI were significantly correlated with disease activity. Moreover, patients with higher serum levels of hs-cTnI tended to suffer from poor prognosis. Conclusions Serum hs-cTnI testing may play a role in screening for cardiac involvement in IIM patients. Abnormal levels of serum hs-cTnI were associated with increased disease activity and poor prognosis. Key Points Among all the cardiac biomarkers, the serum levels of hs-cTnI were independently associated with cardiac involvement in IIM patients. The serum levels of hs-cTnI were significantly correlated with disease activity in IIM patients. The abnormal hs-cTnI levels were correlated with poor prognosis in IIM patients.

Antihypertensive drug-related genes polymorphisms in hypertensive patients at a certain hospital / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　By analyzing the frequency distribution of antihypertensive drug-related genotypes in hypertensionpatients treated in our hospital, so as to provide a clinical basis for individualized treatment of hypertension patients. Methods　A total of 72 hypertensive patients treated in Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital from June 2021 to April 2022 were collected. PCR-melting curve method was used to detect CYP2D6*10 (c.100 C>T), CYP2C9*3 (c.1075 A>C), ADRB1 (c.1165 G>C), AGTR1 (c.1166 A>C), ACE (I/D), NPPA (T2238C) and CYP3A5*3 (A6986G), and the relationship between different genotypes and biochemical indexes was analyzed. Results　According to the statistics of the gene and genotype frequency of each point in 72 patients, the gene frequencies of 7 sites all conformed to Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. There were gender differences in ADRB1 genotypes (χ2 = 5.878, P<0.05). There were statistical differences in triglycerides [AA: 1.4 (1.0, 2.0)mmol/L; AC: 2.2 (1.5, 2.5)mmol/L; P=0.038], total cholesterol [AA: 4.0 (3.1, 4.9) mmol/L; AC: 4.8 (4.0, 5.3) mmol/L; P=0.040] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [(AA: 2.4 (1.8, 3.3) mmol/L; AC: 3.2 (2.5, 3.5) mmol/L; P=0.035] among patients with different genotypes of AGTR1 locus. The patients with different genotypes of CYP2C9 locus had significant differences in their alanine transferase (ALT) [AA:16.9 (11.4,30.2) mmol/L; AC:10.4 (9.4, 18.2) mmol/L; P=0.040]. Aftergene-directed individualized therapy, different genotypes of CYP3A5 andAGTR1 affected the heart rate [CYP3A5: AA: (79.3±7.0) beats/min; AG： (69.8±6.8) beats/min; GG： (68.8±7.3) beats/min; P=0.010], systolic blood pressure [AGTR1: AA: (131.3±16.7) mmHg; AC: (140.6±11.8) mmHg; P=0.014] and diastolic blood pressure [CYP3A5: AA: (90.0±8.3) mmHg; AG: (78.7±10.8) mmHg; GG: (74.9±10.7) mmHg; P=0.025; AGTR1: AA: (75.3±10.2) mmHg; AC: (86.3±10.6) mmHg; P=0.001] of patients. Conclusions　The related gene loci of antihypertensive drugs are an important basis for guiding the diversification and individualization of clinical medication. Clinicians need to consider the impact of related genes on drug efficacy and adverse reactions when prescribing.

Two cases of Vibrio vulnificus primary sepsis / 中华烧伤杂志

This article analyzed the medical records of two patients with Vibrio vulnificus primary sepsis who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University and reviewed the latest literature. On November 6, 2019, a 54-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital. The patient's lower limbs were red, swollen, and painful with ecchymosis and hemorrhagic bullae after he ate freshwater products. The emergency fasciotomy was performed 3 h after admission, and the multiple organ failure occurred after operation. The patient was given up treatment 24 h after admission. On August 12, 2020, a 73-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital. He was in shock state on admission and had hemorrhagic bullae on his right lower limb after he ate seafood. At 3 h post admission, he underwent emergency surgical exploration and amputation of right thigh. Six days later, he received negative pressure wound treatment on the stump. On the 13th day post admission, his families forgo the active treatment and he died 15 d after admission. The two cases were both failed to be diagnosed at the first time, and the disease progressed rapidly. Necrotizing fasciitis and multiple organ failure occurred. After the diagnosis was confirmed, timely fasciotomy and high amputation were performed respectively. The microbiological examinations both reported Vibrio vulnificus. Although the 2 cases were not cured successfully, the course of disease and some indexes of patient with early amputation were better than those of patients with fasciotomy. Vibrio vulnificus is widely distributed and frequently detected in fresh water products. The pathogenic pathway is fuzzy and complex, and it is easy to be misdiagnosed. It is necessary to establish the treatment process of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis. Early and aggressive surgical intervention should be carried out as soon as possible, fasciotomy and debridement should be thorough, and the patients with hemorrhagic bullae should be amputated early. Postoperative comprehensive measures are also important for improving the survival rate of patients.

Medicolegal aspects of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias

INTRODUCTION@#In a subset of adults with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, clinical variants might be violent in nature and can potentially result in unintentional but considerable harm. As such, there is substantial interest on the forensic ramifications of these sleep behaviours.@*METHODS@#This review examined the diagnostic criteria for parasomnias established in the context of international classification systems; medicolegal case reports; legal frameworks; and court cases in and outside of Singapore, to provide an overview of the implications of NREM parasomnias.@*RESULTS@#Violent or injurious behaviours that occurred in the context of somnambulism, otherwise known as sleepwalking, have challenged traditional legal theories of criminal culpability. Yet little has changed in the application of sleep science to criminal responsibility. In Singapore, the defence of somnambulism has hitherto not been directly raised. Nonetheless, sleep medicine practitioners may increasingly be requested to render their opinions on legal issues pertaining to violent or injurious behaviours allegedly arising during sleep. Although the understanding of NREM parasomnias has improved, there is still a dearth of evidence to support both medical and legal decisions in this area.@*CONCLUSION@#NREM parasomnias come with disquieting legal and forensic implications for adjudicating criminal responsibility. There is a need to critically examine legal perspectives on behaviours occurring during sleep. More reliable empirical studies investigating the pathophysiology of NREM parasomnias can offer clearer diagnostic guidelines and address complex behaviours of NREM that often come with medicolegal implications.

Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features and the risk of malignancy in thyroid cytology: Data from Singapore

INTRODUCTION@#The impact of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) on the risk of malignancy (ROM) in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) per The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology has not been well reported in Singapore.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively identified 821 thyroid nodules with preoperative FNAC from 788 patients out of 1,279 consecutive thyroidectomies performed between January 2010 and August 2016 in a tertiary general hospital in Singapore. Possible cases of NIFTP were reviewed for reclassification and the impact of NIFTP on ROM was analysed.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of NIFTP was 1.2% (10 out of 821). If NIFTP is considered benign, ROM in Bethesda I through VI were 8.6%, 3.5%, 26.3%, 20.0%, 87.7%, 97.0% versus 8.6%, 4.2%, 28.1%, 26.7%, 89.2% and 100% if NIFTP is considered malignant. Eight patients with NIFTP had follow-up of 15 to 110 months. One had possible rib metastasis as evidenced by I131 uptake but remained free of structural or biochemical disease during a follow-up period of 110 months. None had lymph node metastasis at presentation, nor locoregional or distant recurrence.@*CONCLUSION@#Classifying NIFTP as benign decreased ROM in Bethesda II through VI, but the benignity of NIFTP requires more prospective studies to ascertain. The impact of NIFTP on ROM in our institution also appears to be lower than that reported in the Western studies.

Non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia: risk factors for occult endometrial atypia and malignancy in patients managed with hysterectomy

Objective@#To determine the risk factors for occult endometrial atypia and malignancy in patients diagnosed with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia (NEH) on endometrial biopsy. @*Methods@#All new cases of NEH diagnosed between April 2015 and March 2016 at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, who underwent hysterectomy as first-line treatment, were included in the study. Patients with a history of endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy were excluded from the study. Patient demographics (e.g., age, parity, body mass index [BMI]), medical history, and clinical presentation were obtained for analysis. @*Results@#In total, 262 patients were diagnosed with NEH, of which 18.3% (n=48) underwent hysterectomy as first-line management. The average time to surgery was 77.0±35.7 days. All cases were diagnosed by dilation and curettage, and hysteroscopy. The mean age was 51 years, and the mean BMI was 26.9±5.8 kg/m2. Histology from the hysterectomy specimen showed 9 (18.8%) patients with atypical hyperplasia and 2 (4.2%) with grade 1, stage 1A endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Patients with higher grade final pathology had significantly lower median parity (1 vs. 2, P=0.039), higher mean BMI (30.1±6.5 vs. 25.9±5.3 kg/m2, P=0.033), and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (54.5% vs. 13.5%, P=0.008, odds ratio 7.68), compared to patients whose final histology showed NEH or no residual hyperplasia. @*Conclusion@#Occult endometrial atypia and malignancy were found in 18.8% and 4.2% of patients with an initial diagnosis of NEH, respectively. High BMI and low parity were identified as significant risk factors for high-grade endometrial lesions in patients with NEH.

Advances in drug delivery strategies against Helicobacter pylori / 药学学报

italic>Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause a variety of digestive tract diseases, the serious may develop into gastric cancer. Nowadays, H. pylori infection rate exceeds 50%, and its eradication rate is declining due to the continuous increase of drug resistance, leading to the occurrence of plenty of stubborn infections, which seriously threaten human health. At present, it is difficult to achieve satisfactory curative effect by increasing the types of antibiotics combination or increasing their dose. In this review, the clinical treatments of H. pylori were introduced. Proceed from the characteristics and pathological background of H. pylori infection that makes H. pylori difficult to eradicate, the research advances of drug delivery strategies for improving H. pylori eradication rate were reviewed, such as strategies that could increase drug concentration in stomach (e.g. drug delivery systems with gastric acid-stabilized ability), increase drug concentration in H. pylori colonization sites (e.g. drug delivery systems with gastric retention or H. pylori targeted abilities), overcome H. pylori resistance (metal nanoparticles, anti-biofilm delivery systems), enhance host immune response (vaccine preparation) and so on. Novel drug delivery systems, such as cell membrane coating technology and phage therapy, are comparatively rare in the field of anti-H. pylori, but have broad application prospects. This review would provide reference for the development and application of therapeutic strategies to improve H. pylori eradication rate.

Advances in the optimization of the linker in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) / 药学学报

With high selectivity and potency, target protein degradation technology has recently emerged as a strategy for drug discovery and design. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) function as inducers for the degradation of target proteins and are a research focus in drug development. Current research on PROTAC mainly revolves around the rational design of PROTAC molecules, the discovery of new E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands and improvement in drug targeting. In this review, we focus on the PROTAC linker and its effects on the generation of the E3 enzyme-PROTAC-target protein ternary complex from three standpoints: length, binding site and chemical properties. We discuss the influences of the linker on the efficacy and the selectivity of PROTAC molecules.

Non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia: risk factors for occult endometrial atypia and malignancy in patients managed with hysterectomy

Objective@#To determine the risk factors for occult endometrial atypia and malignancy in patients diagnosed with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia (NEH) on endometrial biopsy. @*Methods@#All new cases of NEH diagnosed between April 2015 and March 2016 at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, who underwent hysterectomy as first-line treatment, were included in the study. Patients with a history of endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy were excluded from the study. Patient demographics (e.g., age, parity, body mass index [BMI]), medical history, and clinical presentation were obtained for analysis. @*Results@#In total, 262 patients were diagnosed with NEH, of which 18.3% (n=48) underwent hysterectomy as first-line management. The average time to surgery was 77.0±35.7 days. All cases were diagnosed by dilation and curettage, and hysteroscopy. The mean age was 51 years, and the mean BMI was 26.9±5.8 kg/m2. Histology from the hysterectomy specimen showed 9 (18.8%) patients with atypical hyperplasia and 2 (4.2%) with grade 1, stage 1A endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Patients with higher grade final pathology had significantly lower median parity (1 vs. 2, P=0.039), higher mean BMI (30.1±6.5 vs. 25.9±5.3 kg/m2, P=0.033), and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (54.5% vs. 13.5%, P=0.008, odds ratio 7.68), compared to patients whose final histology showed NEH or no residual hyperplasia. @*Conclusion@#Occult endometrial atypia and malignancy were found in 18.8% and 4.2% of patients with an initial diagnosis of NEH, respectively. High BMI and low parity were identified as significant risk factors for high-grade endometrial lesions in patients with NEH.

Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 induces ginsenosides biosynthesis in Panax ginseng adventitious roots by inducing plant resistance responses / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Fusarium oxysporum is a common pathogenic fungus in ginseng cultivation. Both pathogens and antagonistic fungi have been reported to induce plant resistance responses, thereby promoting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The purpose of this experiment is to compare the advantages of one of the two fungi, in order to screen out more effective elicitors. The mechanism of fungal elicitor-induced plant resistance response is supplemented. Methods: A gradient dilution and the dural culture were carried out to screen strains. The test strain was identified by morphology and 18 s rDNA. The effect of different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L) of Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 and F. oxysporum on fresh weight and ginsenosides accumulation were tested. Signal molecules transduction, expression of transcription factors and functional genes were investigated to study the induction mechanism of fungal elicitors. Results: Antagonistic fungi of F. oxysporum was identified as Penicillium sp. YJM-2013, which reduced root biomass. The total ginsenosides content of Panax ginseng adventitious roots reached the maximum (48.95 ± 0.97 mg/g) treated with Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 at 200 mg/L, higher than control by 2.59-fold, in which protopanoxadiol-type ginsenosides (PPD) were increased by 4.57 times. Moreover, Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 activated defense signaling molecules, up-regulated the expression of PgWRKY 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and functional genes in ginsenosides synthesis. Conclusion: Compared with the pathogenic fungi F. oxysporum, antagonistic fungi Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 was more conducive to the accumulation of ginsenosides in P. ginseng adventitious roots. Penicillium sp. YJM-2013 promoted the accumulation of ginsenosides by intensifying the generation of signal molecules, activating the expression of transcription factors and functional genes.

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among the University Staff

@#Introduction: Hypertension is a public health concern that is associated with heart disease. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among the staff in a private university in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: 100 respondents participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), visceral fat rating (VFR), and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of salt diet validated from WHO/PAHO and Food Frequency Questionnaires regarding sodium intake validated from IPH Malaysia were administered. Statistical data was analysed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 24%. About 66% of the participants had excessive sodium intake. The mean sodium intake was 2869.43±930.75mg/d. Simple linear regression showed that BMI. %BF, VFR, and WC were significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). Age and sodium intake were not correlated with SBP. After controlling all the variables in multiple linear regression, VFR remained as a significant contributor to SBP (adjusted R2=0.419, F=18.833, p=<0.001). Soy sauce, omelette, fried rice, and nasi lemak were the main contributors of sodium intake. A lack of knowledge on the negative impacts of high salt diet was significantly associated with high dietary sodium intake (>2400mg/d). Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among the private university staff. The association between VFR and SBP is an important finding for community study. Increased awareness on the excessive salt consumed and its association with health is needed to reduce the sodium intake.

Chemical constituents from Vernonia bockiana / 中国天然药物

A new sesquiterpenoid and two pregnane steroids, named vernobockolide C (1) and vernobockones A and B (2 and 3), respevtively, along with a known sesquiterpenoid, 7, 10-epoxy-11-hydroxy-bisabol-2-en-15-al, were isolated from the aerial part of Vernonia bockiana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis, especially 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY). This study further expands the chemical space of this underexplored species.

A new sesquiterpene glycoside from Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus / 药学学报

The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography and semi-preparative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with silica gel, MCI and polyamide in order to study the chemical constituents of dried flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus. Their structures were identified by the physical and chemical properties and one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-, 13C-NMR, DEPT), two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-1H COSY, non-decoupled HSQC, HSQC, HMBC), UV, IR and high resolution mass spectrometry data. One new compound (1) and five known compounds (2-6) were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of dried broccoli. They were identified as (9S)-9-hydroxymengastigm-5-en-4-one-9-O-primeveroside (1), oleanolic acid (2), forsythiaside (3), 2-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-ethanol-(6-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), salidroside (5), and acteoside (6). Compounds (2-6) were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Research progress of inflammatory immunity and regulation mechanism of interleukin-38 / 中国免疫学杂志

Interleukin ( IL) -38 is the most recently discovered cytokine, which is the tenth member of IL-1 cytokine family. IL-38 shares a high homology with IL-1 receptor antagonist ( IL-1 Ra) and IL-36 Ra. IL-36 R is the specific receptor of IL-38 which is the partial receptor antagonist of IL-36. Now, research has shown that IL-38 not only had relationship with intracellular infection and inflammation, but also with many clinical diseases such as autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, tumor and cardiopulmonary diseases. However, the molecular immune regulation mechanism of IL-38 is complicated, involving specific receptor recruitment, apoptosis mediated phagocyte regulation, regulation of Th17 cell differentiation and many other processes. It also provides several new clues to the treatment of diseases. IL-38 is a new cytokine research hot spot with extensive application prospects and need deep exploration.

MRI Histogram Texture Feature Analysis of the Optic Nerve in the Patients with Optic Neuritis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To evaluate the optic nerve impairment using MRI histogram texture analysis in the patients with optic neuritis.Methods The study included 60 patients with optic neuritis and 20 normal controls. The coronal T2 weighted imaging (T2WI) with fat saturation and enhanced T1 weighted imaging (T1WI) were performed to evaluate the optic nerve. MRI histogram texture features of the involved optic nerve were measured on the corresponding coronal T2WI images. The normal optic nerve (NON) was measured in the posterior 1/3 parts of the optic nerve. Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference of texture features and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of texture features for the optic nerve impairment among the affected optic nerve with enhancement (ONwEN), affected optic nerve without enhancement (ONwoEN), contralateral normal appearing optic nerve (NAON) and NON.Results The histogram texture Energy and Entropy presented significant differences for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN (both P=0.000), ONwEN vs. NON (both P=0.000) and NAON vs. NON (both P<0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) of histogram texture Energy were 0.758, 0.795 and 0.701 for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN, ONwEN vs. NON and NAON vs. NON, AUC of Entropy were 0.758, 0.795 and 0.707 for ONwEN vs. ONwoEN, ONwEN vs. NON and NAON vs. NON.Conclusions The altered MRI histogram texture Energy and Entropy could be considered as a surrogate for MRI enhancement to evaluate the involved optic nerve and normal-appearing optic nerve in optic neuritis.

Dynamics of Proliferation and Differentiation after Transplantation of Hematopoietic Cells in Mouse / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the dynamic changes of hematopoietic reconstitution and multiple lineages differentiation at early phase after transplantation.@*METHODS@#Whole bone marrow mononuclear cells (wBMMNC, 5×10) and enriched c-Kit hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC, 3×10) from the BM of B6-Ly5.1 mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated B6-Ly5.2 mice, the frequencies and absolute numbers of donor-derived cells (including LKS and LKS) were detected by flow cytometry. The multiple lineages differentiation of donor-derived cells was also monitored by flow cytometry. The homing and early phase proliferations of donor-derived cells were observed by two-photon microscope.@*RESULTS@#The donor-derived cells started to proliferation from 5-7 days after transplantation and reached the peak value at 2-3 weeks after wBMMNC transplantation. The donor-derived cells proliferated from 1-2 weeks and maintained until 4 weeks after c-kitHSPC transplantation. At 1 week after transplantation, the donor-derived cells mainly differentiated into myeloid cells with a few lymphoid cells production (B cells) but the production of T cells was not observed at most in wBMMNC transplanted group, while myeloid cells occupied the majority of donor-derived cells at 2-4 weeks; donor-derived cells almost totally differentiated into myeloid cells at 1-3 weeks after transplantation in c-Kit transplanted group and donor-derived B cells appeared at 4 weeks. The absolute number of donor-derived LKS and LKS cells in the BM of c-Kit transplanted group were much higher than that of wBMMNC group (P＜0.001) at 2 weeks respectively. The clustering proliferation of cKit cells at 4-5 days after transplantation was observed by two photon microscope.@*CONCLUSION@#The dynamical rate of proliferation and reconstitution of donor-derived cells are much earlier and quicker in c-Kit group than those of wBMMNC group. c-Kit cells mainly differentiate into myeloid cells within 1-3 weeks and the lymphoid cell differentiation starts at 4 weeks after transplantation. The immediate proliferation and differentiation of c-Kit cells within 1 week maybe due to the urgent needs of hematopoietic regeneration under the myeloablated hosts.

Trimetazidine in angina and poor muscle function: protocol for a randomized controlled study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Low handgrip strength (HS) and declining gait speed (GS) are increasingly obvious with aging, requiring effective, and safe medication for treatment. Trimetazidine (TMZ) modified release tablets, a common anti-angina drug, has potential benefits for alleviating the condition, but this has not yet been fully studied and therefore is the aim of this study.@*METHODS@#This is a prospective randomized controlled study. Fifty-eight eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: TMZ group or control group. For the TMZ group, a dose of 35 mg of oral TMZ will be administered with a meal twice a day for 3 months, in addition to any conventional treatments for angina. Only conventional treatments for angina will be administrated in the control group. The primary outcome will be the 6-min walking distance and the secondary outcomes will be: muscle strength (HS and pinch strength), GS, muscle endurance (five times sit-to-stand test), balance maintenance (tandem standing test), and the frequency of angina per week. Additionally, body mass index, circumferences (biceps, waist, hip, and calf), albumin levels, and the score on a five-question scale for sarcopenia will be obtained during the study.@*DISCUSSION@#This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of TMZ in a population with poor muscle function. The results may provide an effective and safe medical treatment to people with low muscle strength or physical performance.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800015000; www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=25445.

Trimetazidine in angina and poor muscle function: protocol for a randomized controlled study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Low handgrip strength (HS) and declining gait speed (GS) are increasingly obvious with aging, requiring effective, and safe medication for treatment. Trimetazidine (TMZ) modified release tablets, a common anti-angina drug, has potential benefits for alleviating the condition, but this has not yet been fully studied and therefore is the aim of this study.@*Methods@#This is a prospective randomized controlled study. Fifty-eight eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: TMZ group or control group. For the TMZ group, a dose of 35 mg of oral TMZ will be administered with a meal twice a day for 3 months, in addition to any conventional treatments for angina. Only conventional treatments for angina will be administrated in the control group. The primary outcome will be the 6-min walking distance and the secondary outcomes will be: muscle strength (HS and pinch strength), GS, muscle endurance (five times sit-to-stand test), balance maintenance (tandem standing test), and the frequency of angina per week. Additionally, body mass index, circumferences (biceps, waist, hip, and calf), albumin levels, and the score on a five-question scale for sarcopenia will be obtained during the study.@*Discussion@#This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of TMZ in a population with poor muscle function. The results may provide an effective and safe medical treatment to people with low muscle strength or physical performance.@*Trial registration@#Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800015000; www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=25445.

Efficacy of ropivacaine injection at acupoints for labor analgesia and its effect on cortisol level in parturients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine injection at the acupoints Hegu and Sanyinjiao for labor analgesia and its effects on cortisol level in parturients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 ASA class I-II nulliparous women undergoing spontaneous term labor (37 to 41 weeks of gestation) with a live, singleton fetus in the occiput anterior position and requiring labor analgesia with acupuncture were enrolled in this study. These women were randomized into study group and control group and received injections of 1 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine and normal saline, respectively, at each of the acupoints of bilateral Sanyinjiao and Hegu in the first stage of labor. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and at 30, 60 and 120 min after analgesia, the time of labor, delivery outcome and cortisol levels were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). At 120 min after injections of ropivacaine or saline, serum cortisol level was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group (P<0.05). The rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery and the time of labor were all similar between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ropivacaine injection at Hegu and Sanyinjiao is effective for labor analgesia and does not prolong the process of labor or increase the rates of cesarean section or instrumental delivery.</p>