Plumbagin Induces Ferroptosis Through Nrf-2/Keap1 Signaling Pathway in Bladder Cancer Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of plumbagin as a novel ferroptosis inducer in bladder cancer inhibition. MethodBladder cancer T24 cells were used in this study. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （0.1， 1， 2， 3， 6， 12， 24， 48 μmol·L-1） on the viability of T24 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1） on the apoptosis of T24 cells was detected by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate （Annexin V FITC）/PI apoptosis kit. Different inhibitors （ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1， apoptosis inhibitor VAD， and necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1） were used in combination with plumbagin （6 μmol·L-1）. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） fluorescent probe （DCFH-DA）， malonaldehyde （MDA）， and glutathione （GSH） kits were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1） on the level of ROS and the content of MDA and GSH in T24 cells， respectively. The effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1） on peroxide levels in T24 cells was detected by C11-BODIPY fluorescent probe. Western blot was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of plumbagin （1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1） on the protein expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 （Nrf-2）， and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）. ResultCompared with the blank group， plumbagin could inhibit the activity of T24 cells （P<0.05） with IC50 of 3.52 μmol·L-1. At the concentrations of 1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1， plumbagin significantly promoted the apoptosis of T24 cells （P<0.05） as compared with the blank group. Compared with the plumbagin group at 6 μmol·L-1， the ferroptosis inhibitor and apoptosis inhibitor groups could reverse the inhibitory effect of 6 μmol·L-1 plumbagin on the proliferation of T24 cells （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the plumbagin groups at 1.5， 3， 6 μmol·L-1 showed increased content of ROS， MDA， and lipid peroxides in T24 cells， decreased GSH level， and reduced SLC7A11， GPX4， and Nrf-2/Keap1 （P<0.05）. Conclusionplumbagin can induce ferroptosis， and its mechanism is related to the Nrf-2/Keap1 signaling pathway.

Progressin Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Pancreatic cancer is one of the digestive system tumors with a high degree of malignancy,and most of the patients are diagnosed in advanced stages.Because of limited available therapies,the mortality of this disease remains high.Tumor-associated macrophages(TAM),the main immune cells in the tumor microenvironment,are involved in the regulation of the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer.Specifically,TAM are involved in the proliferation,invasion,immune escape,and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells,demonstrating potential in the targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer.In this paper,we summarize the TAM-based therapies including consuming TAM,reprogramming TAM,dynamic imaging of TAM with nanoprobes,and regulating the phagocytic ability of TAM for pancreatic cancer,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for developing new therapies for pancreatic cancer.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of Gusongbao preparation in treatment of primary osteoporosis / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to provide evidence for clinical practice by systematically reviewing the efficacy and safety of Gusongbao preparation in the treatment of primary osteoporosis(POP). The relevant papers were retrieved from four Chinese academic journal databases and four English academic journal databases(from inception to May 31, 2022). The randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Gusongbao preparation in the treatment of POP was included after screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of articles was evaluated using risk assessment tools, and the extracted data were subjected to Meta-analysis in RevMan 5.3. A total of 657 articles were retrieved, in which 15 articles were included in this study, which involved 16 RCTs. A total of 3 292 patients(1 071 in the observation group and 2 221 in the control group) were included in this study. In the treatment of POP, Gusongbao preparation+conventional treatment was superior to conventional treatment alone in terms of increasing lumbar spine(L2-L4) bone mineral density(MD=0.03, 95%CI[0.02, 0.04], P<0.000 01) and femoral neck bone mineral density, reducing low back pain(MD=-1.69, 95%CI[-2.46,-0.92], P<0.000 1) and improving clinical efficacy(RR=1.36, 95%CI[1.21, 1.53], P<0.000 01). Gusongbao preparation was comparable to similar Chinese patent medicines in terms of improving clinical efficacy(RR=0.95, 95%CI[0.86, 1.04], P=0.23). Gusongbao preparation was inferior to similar Chinese patent medicines in reducing traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores(MD=1.08, 95%CI[0.44, 1.71], P=0.000 9) and improving Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy(RR=0.89, 95%CI[0.83, 0.95], P=0.000 4). The incidence of adverse reactions of Gusongbao preparation alone or combined with conventio-nal treatment was comparable to that of similar Chinese patent medicines(RR=0.98, 95%CI[0.57, 1.69], P=0.94) or conventio-nal treatment(RR=0.73, 95%CI[0.38, 1.42], P=0.35), and the adverse reactions were mainly gastrointestinal discomforts. According to the available data, Gusongbao preparation combined with conventional treatment is more effective than conventional treatment alone in increasing lumbar spine(L2-L4) bone mineral density and femoral neck bone mineral density, reducing low back pain, and improving clinical efficacy. The adverse reactions of Gusongbao preparation were mainly gastrointestinal discomforts, which were mild.

Establishment and Evaluation of Heart Failure Model with Qi Deficiency Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish and evaluate a mouse model of heart failure with Qi deficiency syndrome. MethodForty-four KM mice were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， and modified Si Junzitang group （12.89 g·kg-1）. The model group and the modified Si Junzitang group underwent thoracic aortic constriction （TAC）， while the sham operation group only underwent suture without constriction. Echocardiography and pathological examination were used to assess the heart failure model and evaluate the pharmacological effects. Macroscopic characterization， microscopic biology， and formula identification were conducted to collect general signs， body weight， open-field behavior， grip strength， mitochondrial ultrastructure， and other macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of mice. Mitochondrial fission and fusion protein expression were measured to determine the syndrome type. ResultEight weeks after TAC， compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） （P<0.01）， and modified Si Junzitang improved LVEF in mice （P<0.05）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining of the heart showed inflammatory cell infiltration and thickening of blood vessel walls in the model group， which was significantly improved by modified Si Junzitang. After 6-8 weeks， compared with the sham operation group and the modified Si Junzitang group， the model group exhibited significant hair loss， hair yellowing， decreased activity， and depression. Moreover， compared with the sham operation group， the model group had a significantly lower increase in body weight （P<0.05）， while the modified Si Junzitang group showed a significant increase in body weight （P<0.05） compared with the model group. After 6-8 weeks， compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significant decrease in open-field distance and speed （P<0.05）， while the modified Si Junzitang group exhibited significantly improved open-field distance and speed in the 8th week （P<0.05）. After 6-8 weeks， compared with the sham operation group， the model group exhibited a significant decrease in maximum grip strength （P<0.05）， while the modified Si Junzitang group showed a significant increase in maximum grip strength 8 weeks after TAC （P<0.05）. Transmission electron microscopy of the gastrocnemius muscle showed uneven muscle tissue matrix， mitochondrial swelling， increased volume， matrix dissolution， ridge loss， and vacuolization in the model group， while modified Si Junzitang improved mitochondrial swelling， ridge fracture， and matrix vacuolization. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of the kinetic associated protein 1 （DRP1） in the gastrocnemius muscle of the model group significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of mitochondrial fusion hormone 1 （MFN1） significantly decreased （P<0.05） as compared with those in the sham operation group. Furthermore， compared with the model group， the modified Si Junzitang group exhibited a significant decrease in the expression of DRP1 （P<0.05） and a significant increase in MFN1 expression （P<0.01）. ConclusionMice exhibited significant manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome 6-8 weeks after TAC， accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial morphology and function in the gastrocnemius muscle， which were significantly improved by modified Si Junzitang.

Assessment of adequacy of colonoscopic bowel preparation based on nomogram visualization / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To establish a nomogram to evaluate the adequacy of bowel preparation before colonoscopy and to guide clinical decision-making.Methods:A total of 1 023 valid questionnaires from subjects who underwent diagnosis and treatment of colonoscopy at the digestive endoscopy center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from September 2020 to March 2021 were finally returned. The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the clinical characteristics, defecation habits, the number of defecation and the time of the last defecation after taking the medicine and the self-assessment results of bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Subjects' bowel preparation was graded with the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) by a designated endoscopist in a single blinded method. Multivariate analyse was used to explore the influencing factors for bowel preparation adequacy, and a nomogram was drawn accordingly.Results:Based on BBPS scores, bowel preparation of 674 subjects were adequate and 349 were inadequate. Multivariate analyse identified the number of defecation per week ( OR=1.649,95% CI:1.233-2.204, P=0.001), the number of defecation after medication ( OR=3.963, 95% CI: 1.851-8.485, P<0.001), the time of the last defecation after medication ( OR=5.151, 95% CI: 1.152-23.037, P=0.032), and self-assessment of bowel preparation before examination ( OR=8.284, 95% CI: 2.042-33.601, P=0.003) were influencing factors for the adequacy of bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of assessment of colonoscopic bowel preparation adequacy with nomogram visualization according to influencing factors was 0.913, optimal cutoff value was 0.824, the sensitivity was 0.746, and the specificity was 0.971 under the internal validation cohort. Conclusion:The nomogram based on the number of defecation per week, the number of defecation after medication, the time of the last defecation after medication, and self-assessment of bowel preparation before examination could evaluate the adequacy of bowel preparation before colonoscopy, which is worthy of application.

Study on ergonomic intervention to relieve work-related musculoskeletal disorders among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise / 环境与职业医学

Background Work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WMSDs) occur in a variety of occupational populations. Because of their various discomfort and serious disease burden, they have become an important issue worthy of attention in the field of occupational health. The prevention and control of WMSDs is one of the public health problems to be solved. Objective To evaluate the intervention effect on WMSDs among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise, so as to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of WMSDs. Methods A total of 250 assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise were selected using convenience sampling from August to December 2017. The Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for epidemiological investigation, and the Ergonomic Checkpoints was used for ergonomic inspection and worker interview. According to the above survey results, a six-month intervention plan including stepladder improvement and ergonomics training were implemented in the assembly workshop from September 2018 to February 2019. The intervention effects including the awareness of WMSDs, the exposure level of ergonomic load, and the occurrence of WMSDs symptoms were evaluated with relevant cross-sectional survey results before and after the intervention. The scores of WMSDs symptom intensity, symptom duration, and symptom frequency from low to high were 0-10, 1-4, and 1-5, respectively. Results After the intervention, the awareness rates of assembly workers on WMSDs types, affected body sites, influencing factors, preventive measures, and symptoms all increased from 52.3%, 51.9%, 25.5%, 19.1%, and 51.5% to 68.5%, 61.3%, 48.1%, 40.9%, and 61.3%, respectively (P<0.05). After the intervention, the proportion of assembly workers who "often" bend their head backwards frequently decreased from 34.6% to 21.8%, the proportion who "often" keep their trunk backward for a long time decreased from 26.6% to 15.0%, and the proportion who "never" raise their arms frequently increased from 3.4% to 9.0% (P<0.05). After the intervention, the scores of WMSDs symptom intensity in neck, shoulders, upper back, low back, elbows, hands/wrists, hips/thighs, knees, and ankles/feet all decreased, and the medians were mostly decreased from 6 to 3 (P<0.05); the scores of WMSDs symptom duration only decreased in neck (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the other body sites before and after the intervention; the median scores of WMSDs symptom frequency in low back, hands/wrists, and hips/thighs decreased from 3 to 2 (P<0.05). Conclusion The six-month intervention of stepladder improvement and ergonomics training among assembly workers in a railway vehicle manufacturing enterprise can improve workers' awareness of WMSDs, and reduce the exposure frequency of awkward postures and the intensity, duration, and frequency of WMSDs symptoms.

Influencing factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among assembly workers in four manufacturing enterprises / 环境与职业医学

Background The prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among manufacturing workers is relatively high and has been widely concerned. However, research on the prevalence and risk factors of multi-site WMSDs is still insufficient. Objective To explore the prevalence and risk factors of multi-site WMSDs of assembly workers in four manufacturing enterprises. Methods The "Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire" was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey among 1401 assembly workers selected by convenient sampling in four manufacturing enterprises, and their demographic characteristics, the prevalence of WMSDs in various body parts, and the information about biomechanical factors, work organizations, work environment, and psychosocial factor exposure were collected. The prevalence of WMSDs and multi-site WMSDs were estimated, Pearson χ2 test was used for univariate analysis of multi-site WMSDs risk factors, and logistic regression was used for multi-factor analysis. Results The total prevalence rate of WMSDs was 54.9% (769/1 401). The top three affected sites were neck (41.4%), shoulders (30.7%), and wrist/hand (25.1%). The prevalence rate of multi-site WMSDs was 41.9% (587/1 401). The prevalence rates of multi-site WMSDs in railway vehicle assembly and riveting workers were higher than those in electronic parts processing and glass manufacturing workers (P<0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that individual factors such as female (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.48−2.97) and drinking (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.05−2.18), biomechanics factors such as keeping head down for a long time (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.22–1.53), keeping bending frequently (OR=1.18, 95%CI: 1.03–1.34), and keeping arms up for a long time (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.10–1.41), work organizational factors such as electronic parts processing, railway vehicle assembly, and riveting (OR values were 3.23, 5.70, and 13.83, respectively), environmental factors such as temperature a little cold (OR=4.84, 95%CI: 1.90–12.37), noise seriously affecting work (OR=2.25, 95%CI: 1.23–4.11), and psychosocial factors such as high job demands (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.04–2.08), fatigue after work (OR=1.92−2.61) were risk factors of multi-site WMSDs. Conclusion The prevalence rate of multi-site WMSDs in assembly workers is high, and the main influencing factors include individual factors, awkward work postures, environmental factors, and psychosocial factors.

Topoisomerase Ⅱα Gene as a Marker for Prognostic Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Bioinformatics Analysis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To investigate the expression of topoisomeraseⅡα (TOP2α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in predicting prognosis of HCC patients. Methods We used HCC-related datasets in UALCAN, HCCDB, and cBioPortal databases to analyze the expression and mutation of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes in HCC tissues. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes were identified. The TIMER database was used to analyze infiltration levels of immune cells in HCC. The impacts of TOP2α and its co-expression genes and the infiltrated immune cells on the survival of HCC patients were assayed by Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis. Results TOP2α and its co-expression genes were highly expressed in HCC (P< 0.001) and detrimental to overall survival of HCC patients (P< 0.001). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mainly involved in cell mitosis and proliferation, and cell cycle pathway (ID: hsa04110, P = 0.001945). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mutated in HCC and the mutations were significantly detrimental to overall survival (P = 0.0247) and disease-free survival (P = 0.0265) of HCC patients. High TOP2α expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of B cell (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), CD8+ T cell (r = 0.312, P< 0.01), CD4+ T cell (r = 0.370, P< 0.01), macrophage (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), neutrophil (r = 0.405, P< 0.01), and dendritic cell (r = 0.473, P< 0.01) in HCC. The CD8+ T cell infiltration significantly prolonged the 3- and 5-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05), and CD4+ T cell infiltration significantly shortened the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05). ConclusionTOP2α may be an oncogene, which was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and could be used as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC.

Chemokine receptor CX3CR1 promotes local remodeling of monocyte-derived Langerhans cell subsets to maintain chronic skin inflammation / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the role of chemokine receptor CX3CR1 in chronic skin inflammation and its regulatory mechanism.Methods:Wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and Cx3 cr1 GFP/GFP mice were induced by DNFB to establish acute and chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) model. Ear inflammation and swelling were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the changes in classical Langerhans cell (LC) and monocyte-derived LC (Mo-LC), as well as the expression of major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHCⅡ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and TNF-α. Changes in epidermal LC in UV irradiation-induced dermatitis models were also analyzed. In human chronic skin inflammation, CX3CL1 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot and CD1a, CD14 and CD207 expression was observed with immunofluorescence staining. Results:In the chronic ACD model, Cx3 cr1 GFP/GFP mice showed significantly alleviated ear inflammatory and swelling as compared with WT mice, but no significant difference was found in the acute ACD model. The percentages of Mo-LC were decreased in the chronic ACD model and after three weeks of UV irradiation. Moreover, MHCⅡ, TNF-α and iNOS expressed by Mo-LC were significantly upregulated as compared with those by classical LC. CX3CL1 expression was significantly upregulated and the numbers of CD14 + monocytes and CD1a + langerin - Mo-LC were dramatically increased in human chronic skin inflammation. Conclusions:CX3CR1 might maintain inflammatory response by regulating local remodeling of Mo-LC in chronic skin inflammation.

Bioaccessibility analysis of active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza / 药学学报

In this study, a method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of 6 salvianolic acids and 4 tanshinones in extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was established by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The semi-biomimetic method was applied to simulate digestion process in vitro, to explore the digestion and transport characters of oral administration through the gastrointestinal tract, and to explain the content ratio changes and bioaccessibility of active ingredients in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The results showed that the 10 index components have a good linear relationship in the corresponding concentration range, and the average recovery rate was 91.35% to 105.65%. After simulated digestion in vitro, types of chemical composition in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid digested extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma did not change significantly. While the content ratio of salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid decreased, and the content ratio of protocatechuic aldehyde and danshensu increased. In the simulated gastric fluid digestion extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the order of bioaccessibility was: danshensu (50.19%) > salvianolic acid B (33.44%) > lithospermic acid (27.34%) > salvianolic acid A (21.71%) > rosmarinic acid (12.31%). In the simulated intestinal fluid digestion extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the order of bioaccessibility was: 15,16-dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ (5.45%) > tanshinone Ⅰ (3.67%) > cryptotanshinone (3.29%) > tanshinone ⅡA (3.01%) > salvianolic acid A (2.39%) > lithospermic acid (1.57%) > salvianolic acid B (1.02%) > danshensu (0.41%) > rosmarinic acid (0.34%). In conclusion, the UHPLC method established in this study can be applied for accurately and sensitively detecting the contents of 6 salvianolic acids and 4 tanshinones in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The results of semi-biomimetic extraction showed that not all components were extracted with simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid, especially rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B. Therefore, in the quality study of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its extract, bioavailability should be considered at the same time when select quality markers and determine their content limits.

Bioinformatics Analysis on Key Genes and Immune Infiltration of Osteosarcoma / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To screen the potential key genes of osteosarcoma by bioinformatics methods and analyze their immune infiltration patterns. Methods The gene expression profiles GSE16088 and GSE12865 associated with osteosarcoma were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO),and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)related to osteosarcoma were screened by bioinformatics tools.Gene Ontology(GO)annotation,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment,and analysis of immune cell infiltration were then carried out for the DEGs.The potential Hub genes of osteosarcoma were identified by protein-protein interaction network,and the expression of Hub genes in osteosarcoma and normal tissue samples was verified via the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA). Results A total of 108 DEGs were screened out.GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in integrin binding,extracellular matrix (ECM) structural components,ECM receptor interactions,and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway.Macrophages were the predominant infiltrating immune cells in osteosarcoma.Secreted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1),matrix metallopeptidase 2(MMP2),lysyl oxidase(LOX),collagen type V alpha(II)chain(COL5A2),and melanoma cell adhesion molecule(MCAM)presented differential expression between osteosarcoma and normal tissue samples(all P<0.05). Conclusions SPP1,MMP2,LOX,COL5A2,and MCAM are all up-regulated in osteosarcoma,which may serve as potential biomarkers of osteosarcoma.Macrophages are the key infiltrating immune cells in osteosarcoma,which may provide new perspectives for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

The value of event-related potential P300 for diagnosing cognitive impairment after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe the utility of event-related potential P300 in diagnosing post-stroke cognitive impairment.Methods:Forty-nine stroke survivors at high risk of cognitive impairment formed the observation group, while 54 healthy volunteers were the control group. General clinical data and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) scores were compiled for all of the subjects, and the two groups′ P300 latencies, amplitudes and mean reaction times (MRTs) were compared. A total MoCA score <26 (corrected for education level) was taken as the diagnostic criterion for cognitive impairment. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was employed to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of P300 for post-stroke cognitive impairment and determine the diagnostic cutoff.Results:(1) The average MoCA score, P300 latency and P300 MRT of the observation group were all significantly different from the control group′s averages. There was, however, no significant difference between the two groups′ median P300 amplitudes. (2) According to the ROC curve analysis, the diagnostic limit of P300 latency was 376.50ms. With the area under the curve 0.795, sensitivity was 70.8% and specificity was 78.9%. The diagnosis cut-off value of P300 MRT was 423.35ms, with the area under the curve 0.695, giving a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 52.6%.Conclusions:Event-related potential P300 has useful efficacy in diagnosing post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Polyhydroxylated eudesmane sesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid glucoside from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara / 中国天然药物

Chemical fractionation of the n-BuOH partition, which was generated from the EtOH extract of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara, afforded a series of polar constituents including four new sesquiterpenoids (1-4), one new sesquiterpenoid glucoside (5) and one known analogue (6) of the eudesmane type, as well as five known quinic acid derivatives (7-11). Structures of the new compounds were unambiguously characterized by detailed spectroscopic analyses, with their absolute configurations being established by X-ray crystallography, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation and induced ECD experiments. The inhibitory effect of all the isolates against LPS-induced NO production in murine RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated, with isochlorogenic acid A (7) showing significant inhibitory activity.

Usage of printing equipment in college teachers' offices and influencing factors of released particulate matter / 环境与职业医学

Background Printing and copying equipment is likely to release a large amount of particulate matter, thereby endangering human health. However, there is insufficient research on the level of particulate matter released by printers in offices and its influencing factors. Objective This study is designed to investigate the usage of printing equipment in college teachers' offices and the level of indoor particulate matter during printing, and to explore the influence of printer location and indoor ventilation on the particulate matter pollution level released during printer operation. Methods From 9:00 to 16:00 on January 4 to 6, 2021, 20 faculty offices in a university in Beijing were selected by convenient sampling to measure the indoor particulate matter level during printing, and to investigate the printing equipment usage of 31 users in the offices. Besides, experiments were designed to explore the influence of position and distance from a printer, ventilation, and the distance between a printer and a nearby window during ventilation on the number concentration of particulate matter released by the printers. Results Except one printer being placed on the ground, the other 30 printers were placed on office desks (0.71±0.16) m above the ground. Among them, 65% of the printers (n=20) were less than 1 m away from the users horizontally, and 74% of the users (n=23) accessed the printers 1-5 times a week, printing (7.03±4.07) pages per time. The peak mass concentrations in users' offices during printing of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were (21.96±12.96), (7.92±5.54), and (5.77±5.00) μg·m−3, respectively, and the peak number concentration of PM0.25−0.28 was (40941±36926) P·L−1. The experiments showed that when the particle sizer was located in the front, side, and back of the printers, the peak values of PM0.25−0.28 number concentration during printing were (24257±551), (12588±1354), and (11192±249) P·L−1, respectively, and the difference among them was statistically significant (F=214.9, P<0.01); when the particle sizer was placed 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m away from the printers, the peak values of PM0.25−0.28 number concentration during printing were (24257±551), (19847±1426), and (16480±878) P·L−1, respectively, and the difference among them was statistically significant (F=44.66, P<0.01); when the experiment room was ventilated or not, the peak values of PM0.25−0.28 number concentration during printing were (18595±488) and (24257±551) P·L−1, respectively, and the difference between them was statistically significant (F=192.6, P<0.01); when the distance between the printer and the window was 1, 2, 3 m, the peak values of PM0.25-0.28 number concentration during printing were (16780±823), (18347±348), and (18595±488) P·L−1, respectively, and the difference among them was statistically significant (F=8.407, P<0.05). Conclusion The overall printer workload is small and the concentration of particulate matter in the faculty offices is low when the printers are working. Printer position, distance, ventilation, and the distance from a nearby window under ventilation conditions are factors affecting the concentration of particulate matter released by the printers.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at Neiguan on dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia in patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Neiguan on dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia in patients.Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 20-50 yr, weighing 48-60 kg, scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C) and TEAS group (group T). Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 10 min followed by intravenous infusion 0.5 μg·kg -1·min -1 in two groups, and the patients in group T simultaneously received TEAS (frequency 2/100 Hz, disperse-dense wave, intensity 5-10 mA according to the current that could be tolerated) at bilateral Neiguan acupoints.The stimulator was only connected, and no current was given in group C. Before the infusion of dexmedetomidine (T 0) and at 10 min of dexmedetomidine infusion (T 1), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) was recorded, and electrocardiogram (ECG) was collected to calculate the PR interval, QT interval, QT interval, Tp-e interval and index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB). The development of arrhythmia was recorded. Results:Compared with the baseline value at T 0, HR was significantly decreased, and QT interval and PR interval were prolonged at T 1 in two groups, and iCEB was increased, and Tp-e interval was prolonged at T 1 in group C ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, HR was significantly increased, PR interval and Tp-e interval were shortened at T 1, and the incidence of bradycardia and atrioventricular block was increased in group T ( P<0.05). Conclusion:TEAS at Neiguan can decrease the risk of bradycardia induced by dexmedetomidine, and the mechanism may be related to shortening atrioventricular conduction time and reducing heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization in patients.

Value of three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in elderly patients with heart failure / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To analyze the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) in evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in elderly patients with heart failure (HF).Methods:130 elderly patients with heart failure (HF pEF) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in Gulou Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Nanjing University from January 2018 to October 2019 were studied. All of them were examined by conventional ultrasound, 3D-STE and left-heart catheterization. Their cardiac three-dimensional full-volume dynamic images were collected and then analyzed with three-dimensional speckle tracking technique. The global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global area strain (GAS) were measured. According to the detected left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), the patients were divided into the normal left ventricular diastolic function group (LVEDP≤15 mmHg) and the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group (LVEDP>15 mmHg). The GLS, GRS, GCS and GAS of the two groups were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between GLS, GRS, GCS, GAS and LVEDP, and ROC curves were used to analyze efficiencies of GLS, GRS, GCS and GAS in prediction of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.Results:The absolute values of GLS, GRS, GCS and GAS of the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group were lower than those of the normal left ventricular diastolic function group ( P<0.05). The GLS, GCS and GAS were positively correlated with LVEDP ( P<0.05), while GRS was negatively correlated with LVEDP ( P<0.05). The AUC values of GLS, GRS, GCS and GAS for predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were 0.667, 0.775, 0.762 and 0.840, respectively. The sensitivities were 79.17%, 72.22%, 69.44% and 80.56%, specificities were 48.28%, 70.69%, 82.76% and 77.59%, accuracy rates were 65.38%, 71.54%, 75.38% and 79.23%, respectively. Conclusions:The 3D-STE-related strain parameters GLS, GRS, GCS and GAS can be used as ultrasound indexes for assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in elderly patients with HF pEF, which is helpful for early detection of changes in left ventricular diastolic function in elderly patients with HF.

Advances in biosynthesis of cadinane sesquiterpenes / 生物工程学报

Cadinanes are a class of bicyclic sesquiterpenes with complex stereochemistry and broad pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities. To date, structurally diverse and bioactive cadinane sesquiterpenes have been isolated and identified from a variety of plants and microorganisms. Moreover, deeper understandings on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases have been made. This article categorized the 124 new cadinanes which were published in the literatures in the past four years (2017-2020) into five structural types, and presented their pharmacological activities. We also illustrated the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways for typical cadinanes, summarized the research progress on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases. Finally, current challenges and future prospects were proposed and discussed.

A case of tape exposure after transobturator vaginal sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence / 中华泌尿外科杂志

The case of long-term complicated infectious mass on the inner thigh root after transobturator urethral sling is rare. This paper reported a case, who underwent a surgery of the "trans-obturator mid-urethral slings" for stress urinary incontinence 9 years ago. A mass on the root of the right thigh was found 3 months ago, accompanied with low fever. About 1cm tape was exposed on the front wall of the right side of the vagina. The patient underwent resection of the mass on the root of the right thigh and partial removal of the tape under spinal anesthesia. After one year’ follow-up, there was no significant change in urinary control ability compared with that before the operation.

Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in monocytes derived from patients with primary Sjogren syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Epigenetics, especially DNA methylation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS). Our study aimed to reveal the role of DNA methylation in peripheral monocytes of pSS patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 11 pSS patients and five age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using magnetic microbeads. DNA methylation profiles were generated using Human Methylation 850K BeadChips.@*RESULTS@#In monocytes from pSS patients, we identified 2819 differentially methylated positions (DMPs), comprising 1977 hypomethylated- and 842 hypermethylated-DMPs, corresponding to 1313 unique genes when compared with HCs. IFI44L, MX1, PAARP9, and IFITM1, which influence the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway, were among the genes hypomethylated in pSS. Functional analysis of genes with a minimum of two DMPs showed involvement in antigen binding, transcriptional regulation, cell adhesion, IFN-γ pathway, type I IFN pathway, antigen presentation, Epstein-Barr virus infection, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 virus infection, and metabolic disease-related pathways. In addition, patients with higher serum IgG levels exhibited enrichment in Notch signaling and metabolic-related pathways. Upon comparing monocytes with salivary gland epithelial cells, an important overlap was observed in the cell cycle, cell senescence, and interleukin-17 signaling pathways. The differentially methylated genes were more enriched in the ribosome- and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies double-positive patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling revealed significant differences in DNA methylation in monocytes isolated from patients with pSS.

Implication and implementation path of the ideological and political elements in acupuncture- moxibustion courses / 中国针灸

To explore the implementation path of the ideological and political education according to the characteristics of teaching sections in acupuncture-moxibustion courses. Excavating the traditional Chinese culture and medical ethics contained in acupuncture-moxibustion courses helps strengthening the ideological and political quality of medical students and noble medical ethics, strengthening self-confidence in both professions and culture, and also helps students establishing a correct outlook on life, world and value. The moral education integrated with the professional teaching will helps explore ideological and political education path in acupuncture-moxibustion courses, so as to solidify them into each teaching sections and improve the teaching effect.