Research on genetic model of keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To explore the effect of genetic factors on the pathogenesis of keratoconus and its genetic model.METHODS: Genetic epidemiological methods were used to investigate the prevalence of keratoconus in 280 first-degree relatives of 100 patients with keratoconus who attended Henan Eye Hospital between July 2020 and April 2023. The heritability was estimated by Falconer regression method. The general genetic model was calculated using Penrose method, and the genetic model was confirmed by Falconer formula, Edwards approximation formula and the projection formula of San-Duo Jiang's threshold model theory.RESULTS: The results showed that there were 16(5.714%)first-degree relatives of keratoconus probands suffering from keratoconus, and the heritability of keratoconus was(86.100±7.400)%. The S/q score calculated by the Penrose method was 35.348, which was near to 1/(q)1/2, suggesting that the genetic model of keratoconus might be polygenic inheritance. The expected prevalence in first-degree relatives of keratoconus patients by Falconer formula, Edwards approximation formula and the projection formula of San-Duo Jiang's threshold model theory were 5.900%, 7.714% and 5.700%, respectively, which showed no significant differences from the actual prevalence(5.714%), suggesting that keratoconus was a polygenetic disease.CONCLUSION:Genetic factors might play an important role in the pathogenesis of keratoconus, and keratoconus is a polygenetic disease.

Correlation and consistency of three methods for tear evaluation in the diagnosis of dry eye / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To explore the correlation and consistency of three tear assessment methods in the diagnosis of dry eye, which include the Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt), tear meniscus height(TMH)measurement and a new generation of tear detection technology-Strip meniscometry tube(SMTube).METHODS: A diagnostic test study. A total of 183 dry eye outpatients(183 right eyes)in the Dry Eye Center of Henan Eye Hospital were enrolled from May to June 2021. The SⅠt, TMH and SMTube were performed on all patients, and the correlation and consistency of the measurement results were analyzed.RESULTS:The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)of all included patients was 43.75(31.25, 58.33), noninvasive breakup time(NIBUT)was 7.26(4.97, 9.37)s, and the results of SⅠt, TMH and SMTube were 6(2, 12)mm/5min, 0.18(0.14, 0.22)mm and 5(3,8)mm/5s, respectively; The results of correlation analysis: TMH was positively correlated with SMTube(rs=0.751, P<0.001), however, SⅠt had no correlation with TMH(rs=0.139, P=0.060)and SMTube(rs=0.019, P=0.799). The results of consistency analysis: TMH showed good consistency with SMTube(Kappa=0.794, P=0.044), however, SⅠt showed poor consistency with TMH(Kappa=0.271, P=0.074)and SMTube(Kappa=0.193, P=0.070)respectively.CONCLUSION:SMTube is a new, simple and convenient tool for evaluating tear volume. It has a good correlation and consistency with TMH measurement results. Therefore, it can replace TMH measurement, but cannot replace SⅠt in clinical application.

Anti-depression mechanism of Zuojin Pills:based on UHPLC-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, and experimental verification / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the anti-depression mechanism of Zuojin Pills based on the plasma constituents, network pharmacology, and experimental verification. UHPLC-TOF-MS was used for qualitative analysis of Zuojin Pills-containing serum. Targets of the plasma constituents and the disease were retrieved from PharmMapper and GeneCards. Then the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed and core targets were screened for GO term enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was employed construct the "compound-target-pathway" network and the targets and signaling pathways of Zuojin Pills against depression were predicted. CUMS-induced depression mouse model was established to verify the key targets. The results showed that a total of 21 constituents migrating to blood of Zuojin Pills were identified, which were mainly alkaloids. A total of 155 common targets of the constituents and the disease and 67 core targets were screened out. KEGG enrichment and PPI network analysis showed that Zuojin Pills may play a role in the treatment of depression through AMPK/SIRT1, NLRP3, insulin and other targets and pathways. Furthermore, the results of animal experiments showed that Zuojin Pills could significantly improve the depression behaviors of depression, reduce the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus and serum, activate AMPK/SIRT1 signaling, and reduce the protein expression of NLRP3. In conclusion, Zuojin Pills may play a role in the treatment of depression by activating AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway, and inhibiting NLRP3 activation and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of mice.

Applicability comparison between Chinese dry eye questionnaire and ocular surface disease index questionnaire among college students / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the applicability of Chinese dry eye questionnaire in college students using the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire as a reference.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 711 college students from Nanyang Medical College were enrolled in the study and assessed for dry eye condition using OSDI questionnaire and Chinese dry eye questionnaire. The response rate of each question in the two questionnaires was counted. Cronbach α was calculated to evaluate the internal consistency of both questionnaires. Correlation between the total scores of the two questionnaires was analyzed to evaluate the criterion validity. Based on OSDI scores, the discriminant validity of Chinese dry eye questionnaire was evaluated; receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves was plotted for Chinese dry eye questionnaire scores, area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated, and diagnostic thresholds and corresponding sensitivity and specificity were also analyzed.RESULT: The response rates of the 12 questions on the OSDI questionnaire were 33.2%-100.0%, while it was 100.0% for each question on the Chinese dry eye questionnaire. The Cronbach α values of OSDI questionnaire and Chinese dry eye questionnaire were 0.905 and 0.789, respectively. The Chinese dry eye questionnaire score was positively correlated with the OSDI score(rs=0.712, P&#x003C;0.001). According to OSDI questionnaire scores, dry eye severity was divided into normal group, mild dry eye group, moderate dry eye group and severe dry eye group. The scores of Chinese dry eye questionnaire in these groups were 4.00(2.00, 6.00), 9.00(7.00, 11.00), 12.00(9.00, 14.00)and 16.00(13.50, 22.00), respectively, which increased with the severity of dry eye, and the overall difference was statistically significant(P&#x003C;0.001), as well as pairwise comparison between groups(P&#x003C;0.05). The AUCs of Chinese dry eye questionnaire in distinguishing normal population from dry eye population, mild dry eye from moderate dry eye, moderate dry eye from severe dry eye were 0.862, 0.661 and 0.769, respectively, and the diagnostic thresholds were 6.5, 11.5 and 14.5, respectively.CONCLUSION:Chinese dry eye questionnaire has an equivalent reliability, validity, discriminant ability and better response rate for dry eye screening and epidemiological survey among college students in China compared with OSDI questionnaire.

The past,present,and future of in vivo-implant-able recording microelectrodes:the neural interfaces / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Neural recording electrodes enable the acquisition and collection of electrical signals from neu-rons,and these recorded neural electrical signals are an important means of understanding neuronal activity.As a major component of the brain-machine interface,neu-ral recording electrodes serve as a bridge between the nervous system and external devices.The extracted information can be used to understand the state of the brain and acts as a feedback signal to regulate external devices,thus providing important information for the clini-cal treatment of neurological diseases.Moreover,the electrodes can be used as a vehicle for drug injection to directly treat diseases.Since the time that Strumwas-ser used microwires to achieve long-term recordings of neural activity in hibernating squirrels,implantable elec-trode technology has gradually improved over three gen-erations of development,and progress has been made in improving the biocompatibility,mechanical performance(size,shape,density,etc.),and signal-to-noise ratio.Implantable neural recording electrodes can acquire sig-nals from cortical and deep neural clusters,with the advantages of high signal-to-noise ratio,information con-tent,and spatial/temporal resolution.However,there is still a need to improve the structure and performance of these electrodes;for example,their high invasiveness and lack of biocompatibility pose technical difficulties in the process of translation to the clinic.This paper reviews the basic requirements for electrodes,main recording methods and signal types,common types of implant-able neural recording electrodes,and their challenges and future development directions.With the continuous development of electrode materials,equipment,systems,and neurotechnology,it should be possible to apply neu-ral recording electrodes in clinical practice,to promote safe and efficient treatment of human diseases.

Confusion and countermeasures of the non-conditioned anxiety test in rodent laboratory animals / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Anxiety is a major mood disorder, and the high morbidity, co-morbidity and disability of anxiety disorders seriously affect people's quality of life, so the importance and urgency of research on anxiety cannot be overstated. Animal models are the main carriers for studying the mechanism of disease occurrence and development, drug efficacy evaluation and drug development.Unconditioned anxiety model is a common anxiety model.Elevated plus maze test, open field test and light-dark box test are widely accepted paradigms for the detection of unconditioned anxiety.This kind of behavioral paradigm based on environmental exposure takes advantage of the conflict between curiosity and fear of the unfamiliar environment to simulate and detect the anxiety of animals.However, the validity of these behavioral paradigms for evaluating anxiety in animals is questionable.In this paper, we discuss the concept of anxiety, the definition of anxiety behavior in the behavioral test of unconditioned anxiety, and the factors to be considered in the test of unconditioned anxiety behavior.On this basis, new solutions were proposed to the contradictions and blind spots in order to improve the test paradigm of anxiety behavior and provide a more reliable animal model for the evaluation of anxiety.This paper presents a new approach to address the contradictions and blind spots of this paradigm.

Simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect and safety of acupoint thread embedding therapy in treatment of simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction.@*METHODS@#A total of 144 patients with simple obesity of stomach heat and damp obstruction were randomized into an acupoint thread embedding group (72 cases, 3 cases dropped off and 1 case removed) and a sham-embedding group (72 cases, 6 cases dropped off and 3 cases removed). On the base of the lifestyle adjustment, the acupoint thread embedding therapy with PGLA thread was applied to Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Ganshu (BL 18), Shuidao (ST 28), etc. in the acupoint thread embedding group, while in the sham-embedding group, the acupoint selection and operation were all same as the acupoint thread embedding group, but without PGLA thread embedded. In either group, the treatment was given once every 2 weeks, consecutively for 12 weeks and the follow-up was conducted for 3 months after treatment. Separately, before and after treatment as well as in follow-up, the obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] and fat percentage [F%]) were observed in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the indices of blood glucose and insulin (fasting blood glucose [FBG], fasting insulin [FINS] and insulin resistance index [HOMA-IR]), adipocyte factor indices (adiponectin, leptin [LP] and serine protease inhibitor [Vaspin]) and inflammatory factor indices (tumor nercosis factor [TNF-α], interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) were observed separately in the two groups. The therapeutic effect and safety were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and in follow-up, except WC and WHR in the sham-embedding group, BMI, WC, WHR and F% were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the values in the acupoint thread embedding group were lower than the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). After treatment, except FBG, LP and Vaspin in the sham-embedding group, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, LP and Vaspin were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), and adiponectin was increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05); the improvements in the acupoint thread embedding group were more significant than the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the acupoint thread embedding group were reduced as compared with the values before treatment and those in the sham-embedding group separately (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 89.7% (61/68) in the acupoint thread embedding group, higher than 19.0% (12/63) in the sham-embedding group (P<0.01). There was no severe adverse reaction reported in the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread embedding therapy with PGLA thread can alleviate obesity, regulate glucose metabolism and adipocyte factors activity, improve insulin resistance and inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the patients with simple obesity with stomach heat and damp obstruction, and this therapy presents a satisfactory safety in treatment.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-RCC).@*METHODS@#Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to detect the expression of fumarate hydratase (FH) in tumor tissues of 109 different types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients aged 60 years and younger from the Department of Urology of Peking University First Hospital from January 2013 to December 2019. The clinicopathological data and prognosis of FH-RCC were collected and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#There were eleven patients with FH-negative expression. Seven were males and four females. The age of onset ranged 16-53 years (mean age: 36.7 years), and four female patients all had a history of uterine leiomyoma. Only one first-degree relative of one patient had renal cancer, and none of the patients had a history or family history of cutaneous leiomyomas. The diameter of the tumor was 2.1-12.0 cm (mean: 8.83 cm). Renal sinus or perirenal fat invasion was seen in nine cases, tumor thrombus in renal vein or inferior vena cava in six cases, lymph node metastasis in seven cases, adrenal gland invasion in four cases and splenic capsule invasion in one case. The cases were initially diagnosed as type Ⅱ papillary RCC (7/49, 14.3%), collecting duct carcinoma (2/9, 22.2%) and unclassified RCC (2/51, 3.9%). Tumor histopathology mostly showed a mixture of different structures, such as papillary, tubular cystic, solid, and so on. The most common histological structures were papillary (9/11, 81.8%) and tubular (8/11, 72.7%). Three cases had sarcomatoid areas. At least focal eosinophilic nucleolus (WHO/grades Ⅲ-Ⅳ) and perinuclear halo could be seen in all cases. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains of most tumors were negative for CA9, CD10 and CK7. The results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that there was no translocation or amplification of TFE3 gene in two cases with TFE3 IHC expression. All the patients were followed up for 11-82 months. Mean survival was 24 months. Five cases died of distant metastasis 9-31 months after operation (mean: 19 months), and five of the six patients alive had became metastatic.@*CONCLUSION@#Morphologically, FH-RCC overlaps with many types cell RCC. A mixture of papillary and tubular cystic arrangement is the most common growth pattern of FH-RCC. At least focally large and obvious eosinophilic nucleoli are an important histological feature of this tumor. The negative expression of FH can help to confirm the diagnosis. Young female RCC patients with uterine leiomyomas should be suspected of FH-RCC. Some FH-RCC cases lack clinical evidence. The suspicion raised by pathologists based on histological characteristics is often the key step to further genetic testing and the final diagnosis of the tumor.

Three dimensional nephrometry system for partial nephrectomy: Our initial exploration / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a preoperative evaluation system for partial nephrectomy using CT three-dimensional visualization technology and to explore its practical value.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of the patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors in Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital were collected retrospectively. At the same time, the homogenized standard data of patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for renal tumors were collected in 16 clinical centers in China. The CT three-dimensional visualization system was applied (IPS system, Yorktal) to evaluate tumor anatomy, blood supply, perirenal fat and other information. The parameters were summarized to build a three-dimensional nephrometry system, on the basis of which virtual surgery design and intraoperative navigation were completed.@*RESULTS@#A three-dimensional visualization image was established based on the enhanced CT urography. The nephrometry system included the longest diameter and volume of the tumor, proportion volume of tumor invading the parenchyma, maximum depth of the tumor invading the parenchyma, contact surface area, flatness of the tumor surface, renal segment where the tumor was located, vascular variation, and perirenal fat. The average two-dimensional diameter of the tumor was (2.78±1.43) cm, the average three-dimensional maximum diameter was (3.09±1.35) cm, and the average postoperative pathological size was (3.01±1.38) cm. The maximum tumor diameter in the three-dimensional image was significantly related to the prolonged renal artery clamping time and intra-operative blood loss (r=0.502, P=0.020; r=0.403, P=0.046). The three-dimensional and pathological tumor volume were (25.7±48.4) cm3 and (33.0±36.4) cm3, respectively (P=0.229). The tumor volume was significantly related to the intraoperative blood loss (r=0.660, P < 0.001). The proportion volume of the tumor invading into renal parenchyma was significantly related to the prolongation of renal artery clamping and the occurrence of postoperative complications (r=0.410, P=0.041; r=0.587, P=0.005). The tumor contact surface area and the presence of vascular variation did not show correlation with the perioperative data and postoperative complications. While the preoperative evaluation was completed, the reconstructed three-dimensional image could be zoomed, rotated, combined display, color adjustment, transparency, and simulated cutting on the Touch Viewer system. The process generally consisted of showing or hiding the tissue, adjusting the transparency of the interested area, rotating and zooming the image to match the position of the surgical patient. Together, these functions met the requirements of preoperative virtual surgery plan and intraoperative auxiliary navigation.@*CONCLUSION@#Three-dimensional images can provide a more intuitive anatomical structure. The CT three-dimensional visua-lization system clearly displays tumor anatomical parameters, blood supply and perirenal fat. The three-dimensional nephrometry system for renal tumors can help predict the difficulty of partial nephrectomy and perioperative complications. Importing the reconstructed three-dimensional visualization image into the specified program or robot operating system can complete virtual surgery and intraoperative navigation, helping the surgeon to better grasp the surgical process. The indexes included in the nephrometry system and the score weights of each index need to be confirmed and perfected by multi-center study with large samples.

Effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on physical functioning and biochemical indicators in patients with ankylosing spondylitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture plus spinal manipulations on the physical functioning and levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 128 AS cases were allocated into a control group and an observation group using random number table method, with 64 cases in each group. Patients in both groups took sulfasalazine and meloxicam. Patients in the observation group received additional acupuncture plus spinal manipulations. The efficacy, Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), and the levels of ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG were compared between the two groups after eight weeks of treatment. Results: After treatment, the symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); the VAS, BASFI and BASDAI scores in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05); and the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels in both groups were decreased (all P<0.05), and these levels in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group (all P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 92.2％ in the observation group, versus 78.1％ in the control group, presenting a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Conventional medication combined with acupuncture and spinal manipulations can improve clinical symptoms, accelerate the recovery of physical functioning, and reduce the ALP, ESR, CRP and OPG levels.

Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Serbia / 国际中医中药杂志

Serbia is a parliamentary republic country in Southeast Europe. It implements a health security system with social insurance as the mainstay and social assistance as a supplement. Ischemic heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease are the major causes of death, and the mortality rates of cardiomyopathy and chronic kidney disease are increasing. Serbia has relevant legislation on traditional medicine. Acupuncture, as the main form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been introduced to Serbia in an early stage. Acupuncture was recognized as a legal medical method in 2005, and then the corresponding educational institutions of TCM were established soon. However, the limitation of acupuncture treatment application, difficulty in access to Chinese medicine, and undeveloped of TCM education system, all of them restrict the development of TCM in Serbia. It is recommended to improve the development and dissemination of Chinese medicine in Serbia, like to increase the promotion of acupuncture, pay attention to the Chinese medicine for preventive health care, and strengthen TCM education.

Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Iraq / 国际中医中药杂志

Iraq is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious federal country located in southwest Asia and northeast of the Arabian Peninsula. Medical insurance is based on the primary health care model, supplemented by private medical care. Traditional medicine in Iraq is dominated by Islamic medicine. With the support of the Chinese government, the first Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) center was established in 2000. However, due to safety issues, the management of the center had problems such as insufficient staff, limited medical experience, and non-persistentsupport. At present, TCM has not been included in the Iraqi medical insurance system, which has affected the people’s medical choice and hindered the development of TCM. It is recommended to strengthen the construction of existing TCM centers, improve the accessibility of TCM education, and strengthen the cooperation and exchanges of traditional medicine between the two countries to promote the spread and development of TCM in Iraq.

Effective analysis of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking surgery for progressive keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the effectiveness of transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking for 1a after the treatment of progressive keratoconus and discuss its clinical significance. <p>METHODS:A total of 45 cases(48 eyes)of progressive keratoconus who underwent accelerated transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking in our hospital from Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2018 were collected. After 1a of postoperative follow-up, the changes of visual acuity, corneal thinnest point thickness, corneal endothelial cell count, corneal cross-linking line depth, Km of anterior corneal curvature and corneal biomechanical parameters before and after surgery were analyzed.<p>RESULTS:Compared with preoperative, the uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)was improved obviously postoperative in this group patients(<i>P</i><0.05), but the best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), corneal thinnest point thickness and corneal endothelial cell counts were no significant change(<i>P</i>>0.05). At 6mo and 1a postoperative, Km of anterior corneal curvature(48.54±2.57, 48.77±2.29D)are decreased significantly, the first flatten width of corneal biomechanical parameters(1.52±0.21, 1.57±0.22mm)were significantly lower(<i>P</i><0.05). The absolute value of the second flattening velocity(0.82±0.09, 0.82±0.18m/s)was significantly increased(all <i>P</i><0.05).<p>CONCLUSION:Accelerated transepithelial-corneal collagen cross-linking surgery for progressive keratoconus can significantly improve the UCVA and corneal biomechanics postoperative, but the BCVA was not significantly improved.

Baicalein Regulates Colony Formation of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting YAP Entry into Nucleus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:This study aims to observe the effect of baicalein on the clonal formation of triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells， and to explore the mediation role of Yes- related protein （YAP） in it. Method:MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with baicalein. Thiazole blue （MTT） colorimetric method was used to detect cell proliferation ability. Plate cloning experiments was used to detect the colony forming ability. Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the nuclear distribution of YAP， and Western blot test was used to detect the protein expression levels of YAP large tumor suppressor factor 1 （LATS1）， YAP， phosphorylated Yes- related protein（p-YAP） and phosphorylated YAP large tumor suppressor factor 1 （p-LATS1）. Result:Compared with the blank group， baicalein （40， 80， 160 μmol·L^-1） significantly inhibited the proliferation ability of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. The half inhibit concentration（IC₅₀） of baicalein against MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells were （80.3±7.2），（70.4±6.5） μmol·L^-1， respectively. Compared with blank group， baicalein （5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） had no significant effect on the proliferation of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells， and the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the blank group， baicalein （5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） significantly dose-dependently reduced the cell colony formation rates of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， and baicalein （10， 20 μmol·L^-1） significantly inhibited the nuclear expression of YAP in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Also， baicalin （5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） significantly up-regulated p-YAP and p-LATS1 protein expressions in MDA-MB-468 cells in a dose-dependent manner （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Baicalein （10， 20 μmol·L^-1） significantly up-regulated p-YAP and p-LATS1 protein expressions in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Baicalein can inhibit colony formation of triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells by mediating the reduction of YAP entry into the nucleus.

Characteristics of corneal stiffness parameters in keratoconus patients at different ages / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the characteristics of corneal stiffness parameters at the first applanation(SP-A1)in keratoconus patients among different age groups and severity classification groups. <p>METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Three hundred and forty-five eyes of 247 consecutive keratoconus patients diagnosed in Henan Eye Hospital were enrolled during September 2018 to December 2020. The mean age was(24.51±6.38)years. According to age, the subjects were divided into ≤20 years group, 21-30 years group and ≥31 years group. The severity of keratoconus was divided into AK1, AK2, AK3 and AK4 by Amsler krumeich(AK)classification method. The visual acuity, corneal flat curvature(K1), corneal steep curvature(K2), average corneal curvature(Km)and the thinnest corneal thickness(TCT)were measured. The SP-A1, intraocular pressure(IOP), deformation amplitude max(DA Max), velocity at the first applanation(A1V), time at the first applanation(A1T), time at the second applanation(A2T), velocity at the second applanation(A2V), biomechanical corrected IOP(bIOP), and Radius were measured by Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology(Corvis ST). The correlation between SP-A1 and other parameters were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation, and one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of SP-A1 among different age groups or disease severity groups. <p>RESULTS: No statistically differences of gender, visual acuity, IOP, K1, K2, Km, TCT and disease severity classification were found among different age groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). The SP-A1 was positively related to age(<i>r</i>_s=0.137, <i>P</i>=0.011). The SP-A1 of keratoconus patients in the ≥31 years group was significantly higher than that in the ≤20 years group and 21-30 years group(<i>P</i><0.05). SP-A1 was negatively correlated with K1, K2 and Km in patients in the ≤20 years group and 21-30 years group, while SP-A1 was negatively correlated with K2 in patients in the ≥31 years group(<i>P</i><0.05). In addition, SP-A1 was negatively correlated with DA Max, A1V and A2T, and positively correlated with TCT, IOP, bIOP, A1T, A2V and Radius. With the increase of disease severity, the SP-A1 values gradually decreased in patients in the ≤20 years group and 21-30 years group(<i>P</i><0.05). The values of SP-A1 between AK1 and AK4, AK2 and AK3, AK2 and AK4 were statistically different(<i>P</i>=0.008, 0.035, 0.001). <p>CONCLUSION: The value of SP-A1 in keratoconus was positively correlated with age. In patients less than 30 years old, the SP-A1 decreased with the increase of disease severity.

Advance in re-do pyeloplasty for the management of recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after surgery / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is characterized by decreased flow of urine down the ureter and increased fluid pressure inside the kidney. Open pyeloplasty had been regarded as the standard management of UPJO for a long time. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty reports high success rates, for both retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches, which are comparable to those of open pyeloplasty. However, open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty have yielded disappointing failure rates of 2.5%-10%. The main causes for recurrent UPJO are severe peripelvic and periureteric fibrosis due to urinary extravasation, ureteral ischemia, and inadequate hemostasis. In addition, failing to diagnose lower pole crossing vessels before or during the primary procedure is also responsible for recurrent UPJO. In addition, poor preoperative split renal function, hydronephrosis, presence of renal stones, patient age, diabetes, prior endopyelotomy history, and retrograde pyelography history were considered as predictors of pyeloplasty failure. The failure is usually defined by persistent pain, persistent radiographic obstruction (infection or stones), continued decline in split renal function, or a combination of the above. And the failure of pye-loplasty often occurs in the first 2 years after the surgery. The available options for managing recurrent UPJO with a salvageable renal unit include endopyelotomy, re-do pyeloplasty, stent implantation, percutaneous nephrostomy, ureterocalicostomy, and nephrectomy. Re-do pyeloplasty has such merits as high successful rates and rare complications, compared with endopyelotomy or ureterocalicostomy. And some investigators think that re-do pyeloplasty should be regarded as the gold standard for secondary therapy if feasible. Open pyeloplasty can enlarge the operating field, facilitate the exposure of the ureteropelvic junction, reduce the difficulty of operation, and thus reduce the occurrence of complications. There are no significant differences among the success rates of re-do pyeloplasty under open approach, traditional laparoscopy and robot-assisted laparoscopy, according to previous reports. However, traditional laparoscopic and robot-assisted pyeloplasty give advantages of cosmetology, small trauma, less postoperative pain, speedy recovery and shorter hospitalization, fewer complications and lower recurrent rates. If the primary pyeloplasty is an open operation in retroperitoneal approach, the traditional laparoscopic and robotic operation with retroperitoneal approach should be considered for secondary repair. The cause of recurrent UPJO should be evaluated before surgery and identified intraoperatively to minimize the possibility of recurrence.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction surgery: A review of 108 cases by a single surgeon / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the experiences and outcomes of 108 robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries conducted by a single surgeon.@*METHODS@#We consecutively and retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries by a single surgeon from November 2018 to January 2020. The patient demographics, perioperative variables, postoperative complications and follow-up data were recorded. Fifty-three modified dismembered pyeloplasties (MDP), 11 spiral flap pyeloplasties (SFP), 11 ure-teroureterostomies (UUT), 4 lingual mucosal onlay graft ureteroplasties (LMU), 5 appendiceal onlay flap ureteroplasties (AU), 11 ureteral reimplantations (UR), 6 Boari flap-Psoas hitch surgeries (BPS) and 7 ileal ureter replacements (IUR) were enrolled finally. The success was defined as the improvement in subjective pain levels, and the improvement in the degree of hydronephrosis at ultrasound.@*RESULTS@#All the surgeries were successfully completed without open or laparoscopic conversion. The median operative time was 141 min (range: 74-368 min), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-350 mL) and median hospital stay was 4 d (range: 3-19 d) in MDP group, with the success rate of 94.3%. The median operative time was 159 min (range: 110-222 min), median blood loss was 50 mL (range: 20-150 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 3-8 d) in SFP group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 126 min (range: 76-160 d), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-50 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 4-9 d) in UUT group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 204 min (range: 154-250 min), median blood loss was 30 mL (range: 10-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 6 d (range: 4-7 d) in LMU group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 164 min (range: 135-211 min), median blood loss was 75 mL (range: 50-200 mL) and median hospital stay was 8.5 d (range: 6-12 d) in AU group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 149 min (range: 100-218 min), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-50 mL) and median hospital stay was 7 d (range: 5-10 d) in UR group, with the success rate of 90.9%. The median operative time was 166 min (range: 137-205 min), median blood loss was 45 mL (range: 20-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 4-41 d) in BPS group, with the success rate of 83.3%. The median operative time was 270 min (range: 227-335 min), median blood loss was 100 mL (range: 10-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 7 d (range: 5-26 d) in IUR group, with the success rate of 85.7%.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The surgeon performed and modified numerous complicated upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries by the robotic platform, which facilitated the development of the standardized upper urinary tract reconstruction surgical technique.

Quality Evaluation of Curcumae Radix from Different Areas Based on Grey Correlation Degree and TOPSIS Fusion Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study the quality of Curcumae Radix from different areas, in order to screen out excellent provenances to improve the overall quality and stability of Curcumae Radix. Method::The volatile oil, alcohol extract, germacrone, germacr-1(10)-ene-5, 8-dione and curcumin were selected as comprehensive evaluation indicators to determine the content of five main components in 50 samples of Curcumae Radix from different areas. Cluster analysis was made for Curcumae Radix from different areas of Guangxi, and the fusion models of GRA(grey correlation degree) and TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution) of Curcumae Radix were established. Result::The results of cluster analysis indicated that 50 samples from different areas could be divided into four categories. The fusion models of GRA and TOPSIS were based on relative closeness γi as the index to comprehensively evaluated the quality of Curcumae Radix. Samples No. YL-2, YL-5, YL-1, YL-4 were screened out as excellent samples. The average relative closeness γi was ranked as follows: Yulin>Pingnan>Hengxian>Xingye>Zhaoqing>Qingtang>Zhongshan>Qinzhou>Guigang>Lingshan. Conclusion::The multiple attribute decision making analysis gray correlation degree and TOPSIS fusion models are used to optimize the quality evaluation of Curcumae Radix. The method is simple, objective and comprehensive, which can be promoted and provide a reference for the screening of high-quality provenance.

Effect of Chaenomelis Fructus Alcohol Extract on Arthritis Inflammation and Apoptosis of Synovial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Model / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the protective effect and mechanism of Chaenomelis Fructus alcohol extract (CFE) on the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and model group. RA model was made by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant， and then was randomly divided into model group， CFE low， medium and high dose group and Tripterygium glycoside group according to the inflammatory score. The CFE groups (0.15，0.30，0.60 g·kg-1·d-1) had intragastric administration once a day for 30 d after the model establishment. The blank control group and the model group were given the same volume saline water by gavage. After all the drugs were given， the blood， joint tissues and synovium tissue of rats were collected. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β)， interleukin-6 (IL-6)， interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)， the pathological changes of synovium were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining， and the expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)，Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and death factor (Fas) in joints were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal group， the swelling degree and inflammation index of rats' feet in model group increased significantly， the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α in serum increased (P<0.01)， anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 decreased (P<0.01)， the protein expression of Bax， Fas and Bcl-2 increased， and the statistical results of Bcl-2 showed significant difference (P<0.05). Compared with model group， the swelling degree and inflammatory index of the plantar of RA rats were improved in the middle and high dose groups of CFE (P<0.01)， the pathological changes such as synovial tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced in each dose group， and the levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were reduced (P<0.05)， anti inflammatory factor IL-10 increased (P<0.05)， the disorder of inflammatory cytokine in the model was corrected， Bax， Fas expression increased， Bcl-2 protein expression decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion:CFE can reduce the degree of inflammation in RA joint and has obvious anti RA effects， which may be related to the apoptosis of synoviocytes induced by CFE.

Androgenetic alopecia in healthcare staffs: an epidemiological study of 934 cases / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors on androgenetic alopecia (AGA) of primary healthcare staffs.Methods:Primary healthcare staffs were investigated by a questionnaire.Results:A total of 934 healthcare staffs (550 males and 384 females) were surveyed, of which 238 cases were diagnosed as AGA. 68.8% of AGA patients had poor mental health self-assessment; 52.94% of AGA patients had a family history; the prevalence in the people who usually had the night shift was 26.03%, which was higher than that in the people who had no night shift.Conclusions:The prevalence of AGA in healthcare staffs is higher than the national average, which might be related to working pressure, mental status, night shifts, genetic and alcohol drinking.