Simultaneous determination of seven different components in Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. by QAMS / 药学学报

A quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker method (QAMS) was established for simultaneous determination of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin in Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. The analysis was performed on a ChromCore Polae C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) , with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.3% phosphoric acid aqueous solution for gradient elution. The volume flow rate, column temperature and sample injection volume were set at 1.0 mL·min-1, 25 ℃, and 40 µL, respectively. The relative correction factors of gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin were calculated and the durability was also investigated. The contents of these seven compounds in fourteen batches of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. from different producing areas or batches were determined by external standard method (ESM) and quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single-marker method (QAMS), respectively. SPSS and Origin Pro software were employed for principal components assay, similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. The specificity, precision, repeatability, stability and linear range (R2 > 0.999 0) of the seven components were all good. The average recovery was 96.89%-103.16% and RSD was 0.55%-2.76%. Then gallic acid was chosen as internal reference for calculation the correction factors for the other six components, the average relative correction factors of protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin were 1.141 5, 0.200 5, 0.208 0, 2.361 9, 1.867 7, 0.204 6, respectively. Student's test results showed that there was no significant difference between the data analyzed by ESM and the data obtained from QAMS method. Through data visualization analysis, the contents of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin and epicatechin in different samples were significantly different, indicating that these four components might be the main quality markers of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. for gaving more contributes to the principal components. The cluster analysis showed that samples from Xinjiang and samples from Inner Mongolia were clustered in significantly different categories, meaning that the quality of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. had great relation with producing areas. The method of QAMS established in this study is a simple, economical and practical method with scientific and applicable charactistics for evaluating the quality of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. efficiently and scientifically.

Screening of diabetes among high-risk populations in Baoshan District / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the prevalence of diabetes among individuals at high risk of diabetes in Baoshan District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into community-based diabetes management. @*Methods@#Permanent residents at ages of 35 years and older were sampled from Baoshan District using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method, and residents at a high risk of diabetes were screened using the Form for Risk Assessment of Diabetes among Community Residents in Shanghai Municipality. Participants' demographics, disease history and history of medication were collected using questionnaire surveys, and height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Diabetes was screened using fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance test. The factors affecting the development of diabetes were identified among high-risk residents for diabetes using a multivariable logistic regression model.@*Results@#A total of 3 107 residents at a high risk for diabetes were enrolled, including 1 165 men (37.50%) and 1 942 women (62.50%) with a mean age of (63.58±9.77) years. The prevalence of diabetes was 21.69% among the study subjects, and multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that men (OR=1.689, 95%CI: 1.357-2.104), age (40 years-, OR=4.833, 95%CI: 1.036-22.553; 50 years-, OR=2.627, 95%CI: 1.432-4.819; 60 years-, OR=1.551, 95%CI: 1.119-2.150; 70 years and older, OR=1.579, 95%CI: 1.232-2.025); high school/technical secondary school (OR=2.677, 95%CI: 1.636-4.380), overweight/obesity (OR=1.891, 95%CI: 1.447-2.472), hypertension (OR=1.306, 95%CI: 1.049-1.626), dyslipidemia (OR=1.428, 95%CI: 1.114-1.831), history of impaired glucose regulation (OR=15.161, 95%CI: 11.827-19.434) and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR=2.092, 95%CI: 1.619-2.704) caused an increased risk of diabetes among residents at a high risk diabetes.@*Conclusions@#The prevalence of diabetes was 21.69% among high-risk populations of diabetes in Baoshan District. Gender, age, educational level, overweight/obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, history of impaired glucose regulation and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus are factors affecting the development of diabetes among high-risk populations.

Special strategies and management of urological diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: initial experiences from a Medical Center of China

ABSTRACT Although urological diseases are not directly related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), urologists need to make comprehensive plans for this disease. Urological conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and tumors are very common in elderly patients. This group of patients is often accompanied by underlying comorbidities or immune dysfunction. They are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and they tend to have severe manifestations. Although fever can occur along with urological infections, it is actually one of the commonest symptoms of COVID-19; urologists must always maintain a high index of suspicion in their clinical practices. As a urological surgeon, how we can protect medical staff during surgery is a major concern. Our hospital had early adoption of a series of strict protective and control measures, and was able to avoid cross-infection and outbreak of COVID-19. This paper discusses the effective measures that can be useful when dealing with urological patients with COVID-19.

LI-RADS ancillary features on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) was created to standardize liver imaging in patients at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it uses a diagnostic algorithm to assign categories that reflect the relative probability of HCC, non-HCC malignancies, or benign focal liver lesions. In addition to major imaging features, ancillary features (AFs) are used by radiologists to refine the categorization of liver nodules. In the present document, we discuss and explain the application of AFs currently defined within the LI-RADS guidelines. We also explore possible additional AFs visible on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Finally, we summarize the management of CEUS LI-RADS features, including the role of current and potential future AFs.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in Chinese pregnant women: Hong Kong venous thromboembolism study

BACKGROUND: Previous Caucasian studies have described venous thromboembolism in pregnancy; however, little is known about its incidence during pregnancy and early postpartum period in the Chinese population. We investigated the risk of venous thromboembolism in a “real-world” cohort of pregnant Chinese women with no prior history of venous thromboembolism. METHODS: In this observational study, 15,325 pregnancies were identified in 14,162 Chinese women at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong between January 2004 and September 2016. Demographic data, obstetric information, and laboratory and imaging data were retrieved and reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age at pregnancy was 32.4±5.3 years, and the median age was 33 years (interquartile range, 29–36 yr). Pre-existing or newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was present in 627 women (4.1%); 359 (0.7%) women had pre-existing or newly detected hypertension. There was a small number of women with pre-existing heart disease and/or rheumatic conditions. Most deliveries (86.0%) were normal vaginal; the remaining were Cesarean section 2,146 (14.0%). The incidence of venous thromboembolism was 0.4 per 1,000 pregnancies, of which 83.3% were deep vein thrombosis and 16.7% were pulmonary embolism. In contrast to previous studies, 66.7% of venous thrombosis occurred in the first trimester. CONCLUSION: Chinese women had a substantially lower risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the postpartum period compared to that of Caucasians. The occurrence of pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism was largely confined to the early pregnancy period, probably related to the adoption of thromboprophylaxis, a lower rate of Cesarean section, and early mobilization.

Advantages and limitations of focal liver lesion assessment with ultrasound contrast agents: comments on the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology [EFSUMB] guidelines

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound [CEUS] represents a significant breakthrough in sonography. Due to US contrast agents [UCAs] and contrast-specific techniques, sonography offers the potential to show enhancement of liver lesions in a similar way as contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging techniques. The real-time assessment of liver perfusion throughout the vascular phases, without any risk of nephrotoxicity, represents one of the major advantages that this technique offers. CEUS has led to a dramatic improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of US and subsequently has been included in current guidelines as an important step in the diagnostic workup of focal liver lesions [FLLs], resulting in a better patient management and cost-effective therapy. The purpose of this review was to provide a detailed description of contrast agents used in different cross-sectional imaging procedures for the study of FLLs, focusing on characteristics, indications and advantages of UCAs in clinical practice

Gene expression profile of human normal gastrointestinal tract tissues: bioinformatic study / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To identify up-regulated genes specific to human normal gastrointestinal tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Study was made on human normal tissue gene expression database open to the public. Tissue-specific genes were identified using one-tailed student T test. Online software including Ingenuity and KEGG were applied for physiological function analyses. Unsupervised two-way hierarchical clustering method was used to analyze the expression profile of stomach-specific genes in gastric cancer gene expression datasets.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The analyses identified 196 stomach-specific genes, 203 ileum-specific genes and 224 colon-specific genes, respectively. The gene expression profiles reflect major organ-specific physiological functions on the molecular level. Some putative oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were found in the tissue-specific gene list. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that the stomach-specific genes were up-regulated in normal stomach tissues but down-regulated in stomach cancer tissues. The normal tissues clustered together, so did the cancer tissues. At the meantime, clustering could also distinguish the moderate and severe differentiated stomach cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human normal stomach, ileum and colon possess tissue-specific up-regulated genes, which are closely associated with physiological functions.</p>

A preliminary study on the expression and biological function of recombinant human SCF-TPO fusion protein / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of recombinant human SCF-TPO fusion protein and its biological function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four primers were designed according to known sequences of TPO and SCF. The functional amino acid domains of TPO and SCF were amplified by RT-PCR from fetus hepatocytes, respectively. The expression plasmid pET32a/SCF-TPO was constructed by VOE gene fusion technique and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) plysS as inclusion body after isopropyl-beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction. The fusion protein was tested by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The biological functions of SCF-TPO fusion protein in MO7e cells was investigated by MTT method after purification with metal chelating chromatography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The high expression SCF-TPO fusion protein was obtained, reaching up to 30% of the total cellular protein. Western blot verified the correct fusion expression and MTT results showed the growth promoting effect of the SCF-TPO fusion protein on MO7e cells, with a higher promoting activity at 100 ng/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expressed SCF-TPO fusion protein after renaturation has biological activity in promoting the proliferation of MO7e cells.</p>

Functional MRI of human brain in musicians and non-musicians / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the differences in brain activation between musicians and non-musicians by use of functional MRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve right-handed musicians and twelve right-handed non-musicians were recruited in the study. During a listening task, they were scanned on the Sigma 1.5T scanner (GE) while they were passively listening to several segments of music of "the Butterfly Love" and the white noise with same physical energy.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both musicians and non-musicians demonstrated bilateral transverse gyrus weak activated while listening to the white noise. But when listening to music, they showed bilateral temporal areas strongly activated including superior temporal gyrus, transverse gyrus and some middle temporal areas. Moreover, musicians showed relative left dominance (10/12), whereas non-musicians demonstrated right dominance(11/12). Furthermore,besides bilateral temporal areas, more and stronger activated areas were found in musicians such as cuneus, precuneus,medial frontal and left middle occipital gyrus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are different neuro-patterns between musicians and non-musicians.</p>

Fusion construction, prokaryotic expression and structure characteristics prediction of bimolecular thrombopoietin / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>Design, construction, expression in E coli and protein characteristics prediction of bimolecular thrombopoietin (T-T) with more stability, efficiency, and lower toxicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression vectors of TPO and T-T, pET32 a(+)/TPO and pET32 a (+)/T-T, had been constructed by molecular cloning methods. Then, they were expressed in host bacterium. Their products were identified by Western blot. The protein characteristics, such as second structure, antigenicity, hydrophilicity, flexibility and isoelectric point, were predicted by DS Gene and Protscale software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressing vectors pET32a(+)/TPO and T-T were constituted correctly and expressed in origami (DE3), and their expression efficiency were more than 40 percent of total protein. T-T was identified correctly by Western blot. DS Gene and Protscale software predict the protein characteristics of TPO sequences in T-T molecule were no change, there was high flexibility in the linker domain. But two amino acids in T-T molecule have been mutated, and an insert fragment with 34 amino acids following the linker had antigenicity, hydrophilicity, and beta-sheet structure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have constructed correctly and expressed T-T with high level in E Coli. Protein characteristics prediction of T-T accords with our design.</p>

Biochemical and physical properties for a recombinant IL6 Pseudomonas exotoxin fusion protein IL6D24-PE40KDEL / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective was to identify some biochemical and physical properties for fusion protein IL6D24-PE40KDEL. Edman degradation, SDS-PAGE, peptide mass fingerprinting, Western blot and MTT were used for identification of the protein. The results showed that the sequence of N-terminus is Met-Ile-Asp-Lys-Gln-Ile, Met was added because of prokaryotic expression system; Western blot revealed that the purified protein could react with IL6 and PEA antibody. The purified protein IL6D24-PE40KDEL could kill the multiple myeloma cell lines U266 expressing high affinity IL6R, but it could not kill the cell lines CEM which not expressed IL6R; The molecular weight was 58.7 kD measuring by SDS-PAGE; peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) confirmed that the construction of IL6D24-PE40KDEL was correct. A novel protein by Peptident database in EXPASY web site was identified. In conclusion, IL6D24-PE40KDEL is a new targeting protein with bioactivity of specific killing effect.

A Strategy of IL-6/IL-6R System Mediates Targeted Treatment for Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

An inevitable trend for the development of new treatment of leukemia is to use targeted strategy. IL-6/IL-6R is important one of the cytokine receptor targeted treatment systems. Many malignant cells, including multiple myeloma, prostate carcinoma and leukemia etc., have been shown to express IL-6R. Leukemia cells, especialy in U937, TF1, KG1 cell lines highly express the high affinity IL-6R. IL-6 recombinant toxin is cytotoxic in vitro to leukemia cell expressing high affinity IL-6R; in vivo the fusion toxin can result the reduction of leukemic cell load in animal leukemia model but have no effect on normal hematopoiesis in non-leukemic animal. On the basis of these pre-clinical studies, IL-6 recombinant toxin my become novel drug for the treatment of leukemia and cancer in future.