Role of interaction between reactive oxygen species and ferroptosis pathway in methylglyoxal-induced injury in mouse embryonic osteoblasts / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the interaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ferroptosis in methylglyoxalinduced injury of mouse embryonic osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells).@*METHODS@#MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with methylglyoxal to establish a cell model of diabetic osteoporosis. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the viability of MC3T3-E1 cells. Rhodamine 123 staining followed by photofluorography was used to examine mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The intracellular ROS level was detected by 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining with photofluorograph. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the cells was detected using an ALP kit, the number of mineralized nodules was determined with alizarin red S staining, and the level of iron ions was detected using a detection kit. The expression level of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4, a marker protein that inhibits ferroptosis) in the osteoblasts was determined using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 0.6 mmol/L methylglyoxal for 24 h significantly inhibited the expression level of GPX4 (P < 0.001), increased intracellular iron ion concentration, decreased the cell viability, increased the loss of MMP and intracellular ROS level, decreased both ALP activity and the number of mineralized nodules in the cells (P < 0.001). Co-treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 2 mmol/L N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a ROS scavenger) and methylglyoxal significantly increased the expression level of GPX4 (P < 0.01); co-treatment with 4 mmo/L FER-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor) and methylglyoxal obviously decreased the intracellular ROS level (P < 0.001). Co-treatment of the cells either with NAC and methylglyoxal or with FER-1 and methylglyoxal attenuated methylglyoxal-induced injuries in the osteoblasts (P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#The interaction between ROS and ferroptosis pathway plays an important role in methylglyoxal-induced injury of mouse embryonic osteoblasts.

Valor do Diâmetro do Átrio Esquerdo com Escore CHA2DS2-Vasc na Predição da Trombose Atrial Esquerda/Trombose de Apêndice Atrial Esquerdo na Fibrilação Atrial Não Valvar / Value of left atrial diameter with CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Resumo Fundamentos A fibrilação atrial é a arritmia persistente mais comum e é o principal fator que leva ao tromboembolismo. Objetivo Investigar o valor do diâmetro do átrio esquerdo combinado com o escore CHA2DS2-VASc na predição da trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo na fibrilação atrial não valvar. Métodos Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo. 238 pacientes com fibrilação atrial não valvar foram selecionados e divididos em dois grupos: trombose e não trombose. Determinou-se o escore CHA2DS2-VASc. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados A análise de regressão logística multivariada revelou que histórico de acidente vascular cerebral/ataque isquêmico transitório, doença vascular, escore CHA2DS2-VASc, DAE, DDFVE e FEVE foram fatores de risco independentes para trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo (p<0,05). A análise da curva ROC ( Receiver Operating Characteristic ) revelou que a área sob a curva para o escore CHA2DS2-VASc na predição de trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo foi de 0,593 quando o escore CHA2DS2-VASc foi ≥3 pontos, e a sensibilidade e especificidade foram 86,5% e 32,6%, respectivamente, enquanto a área sob a curva para o DAE na predição de trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo foi 0,786 quando o DAE foi ≥44,17 mm, e a sensibilidade e especificidade foram 89,6% e 60,9%, respectivamente. Entre os diferentes grupos CHA2DS2-VASc, a taxa de incidência de trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo em pacientes com DAE ≥44,17 mm foi maior do que em pacientes com DAE <44,17 mm (p <0,05). Conclusão O escore CHA2DS2-VASc e o DAE estão correlacionados com a trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo na fibrilação atrial não valvar. Para pacientes com escore CHA2DS2-VASc de 0 ou 1, quando o DAE é ≥44,17 mm, o risco de trombose atrial esquerda/trombose de apêndice atrial esquerdo permaneceu alto. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common persistent arrhythmia, and is the main factor that leads to thromboembolism. Objective To investigate the value of left atrial diameter combined with CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Methods This is a retrospective study. 238 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were selected and divided into two groups: thrombosis and non-thrombosis. CHA2DS2-VASc score was determined. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, CHA2DS2-VASc score, left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent risk factors for left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis was 0.593 when the CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥3 points, and sensitivity and specificity were 86.5% and 32.6%, respectively, while the area under the curve for LAD in predicting left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis was 0.786 when LAD was ≥44.17 mm, and sensitivity and specificity were 89.6% and 60.9%, respectively. Among the different CHA2DS2-VASc groups, the incidence rate of left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis in patients with LAD ≥44.17 mm was higher than patients with LAD <44.17 mm (p<0.05). Conclusion CHA2DS2-VASc score and LAD are correlated with left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. For patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 or 1, when LAD is ≥44.17 mm, the risk for left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombosis remained high. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

A rare anatomical variation of ileocolic veins involving in gastrocolic vein trunk: case report and literature review / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: Due to its various anatomical variations and numerous branches, the gastrocolic vein trunk (Henle trunk) is the most common site to develop bleeding and other complications in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. This study aims to investigate the role of ileocolic vein (ICV) joining with Henle trunk, a rare anatomical variation. Methods: A rare case whose ICV was newly found to involve in the formation of Henle trunk during laparoscopic resection of right hemicolon cancer was reported as right gastroepiploic vein+ right colic vein+superior right colic vein+ICV. This anatomical variation was confirmed by multi-slice spiral CT coronal two-dimensional reconstruction of right hemicolon angiography. The literatures about ICV participating in formation of Henle trunk were systematically searched from PubMed, The Cochran Library, CNKI net and Wanfang database, and the occurrence probability and composition of its anatomical variation were analyzed. Results: This was a 47-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. When the vessels were dissected during operation, it was found that ICV did not accompany the ileocolic artery, but directly flowed into Henle trunk. Two-dimensional reconstructed CT images of right hemicolon vessels showed that the composition of Henle trunk was rarely varied, which was composed of right gastroepiploic vein, right colonic vein, superior right colonic vein and ICV. Five literatures were enrolled from literature retrieval. A total of 12 cases with ICV participating in the construction of Henle trunk were reported, with a probability of 0.27%-6.31% and 6 forms of the formation of Henle trunk. In this case, Henle trunk was made up of right gastroepiploic vein, right colonic vein, upper right colonic vein and ICV, which was reported for the first time. Conclusions: ICV involving in Henle trunk is a rare vascular variation, and this type of variation should be fully recognized. Careful dissection during operation is necessary to prevent intraoperative bleeding caused by improper operation.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) inhibits coagulation process via inducing hepatic antithrombin III expression in mice / 生理学报

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been identified as an inhibitor of platelet function and an inducer of fibrinogen protein complex. However, the regulatory mechanism of FXR in hemostatic system remains incompletely understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functions of FXR in regulating antithrombin III (AT III). C57BL/6 mice and FXR knockout (FXR KO) mice were treated with or without GW4064 (30 mg/kg per day). FXR activation significantly prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), lowered activity of activated factor X (FXa) and concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and activated factor II (FIIa), and increased level of AT III, whereas all of these effects were markedly reversed in FXR KO mice. In vivo, hepatic AT III mRNA and protein expression levels were up-regulated in wild-type mice after FXR activation, but down-regulated in FXR KO mice. In vitro study showed that FXR activation induced, while FXR knockdown inhibited, AT III expression in mouse primary hepatocytes. The luciferase assay and ChIP assay revealed that FXR can bind to the promoter region of AT III gene where FXR activation increased AT III transcription. These results suggest FXR activation inhibits coagulation process via inducing hepatic AT III expression in mice. The present study reveals a new role of FXR in hemostatic homeostasis and indicates that FXR might act as a potential therapeutic target for diseases related to hypercoagulation.

High tibial osteotomy combined with lateral retinacular release for the treatment of knee varus osteoarthritis with lateral patellar compression syndrome / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical effect of high tibial osteotomy combined with arthroscopic lateral retinacular release in the treatment of knee varus osteoarthritis.@*METHODS@#From October 2017 to April 2019, a retrospective analysis was performed on 43 patients with knee varus osteoarthritis and lateral patellar compression syndrome treated by high tibial osteotomy combined with arthroscopic lateral retinacular release. There were 15 males and 28 females, aged 53 to 72(62.05±5.17) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), Lysholm, and the knee range of motion were used to evaluate knee pain and functional recovery before operation, 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after operation. And the congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA), and femala-tibial angle (FTA) were measured respectively before and 12 months after operation to evaluate the congruence of patellar joint, and the improvement of line of gravity of lower limb.@*RESULTS@#All 43 patients were followed up for more than 12 months, with a follow-up time of 14 to 28 (19.60±4.50) months. The VAS scores decreased from 6.65±0.65 before operation to 2.16±0.95, 0.51±0.77 and 0.33±0.64 at 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (@*CONCLUSION@#High tibial osteotomy combined with arthroscopic lateral retinacular release can relieve weight-bearing pain in frontal axis and improve the function of knee in sagittal axis.

[RETRACTED ARTICLE] lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 inhibits high glucose-induced EMT and fibrogenesis by regulating the miR-216a-5p/BMP7 axis in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the leading causes of mortality in diabetic patients. Long non-coding RNA zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense 1 (ZEB1-AS1) plays a crucial role in the development of various diseases, including DN. However, the molecular mechanism of ZEB1-AS1 in DN pathogenesis remains elusive. An in vitro DN model was established by treating HK-2 cells with high glucose (HG). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect the expression levels of ZEB1-AS1, microRNA-216a-5p (miR-216a-5p), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7). Western blot assay was used to evaluate the protein levels of BMP7, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, and fibrosis markers. Additionally, the interaction among ZEB1-AS1, miR-216a-5p, and BMP7 was predicted by MiRcode (http://www.mircode.org) and starBase 2.0 (omics_06102, omicX), and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. ZEB1-AS1 and BMP7 were down-regulated, while miR-216a-5p was highly expressed in kidney tissues of DN patients. Consistently, HG treatment decreased the levels of ZEB1-AS1 and BMP7, whereas HG increased miR-216a-5p expression in HK-2 cells in a time-dependent manner. ZEB1-AS1 upregulation inhibited HG-induced EMT and fibrogenesis. Furthermore, ZEB1-AS1 directly targeted miR-216a-5p, and overexpression of miR-216a-5p restored the inhibitory effects of ZEB1-AS1 overexpression on EMT and fibrogenesis. BMP7 was negatively targeted by miR-216a-5p. In addition, ZEB1-AS1 suppressed HG-induced EMT and fibrogenesis by regulating miR-216a-5p and BMP-7. lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 inhibited high glucose-induced EMT and fibrogenesis via regulating miR-216a-5p/BMP7 axis in diabetic nephropathy, providing a potential target for DN therapy.

lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 inhibits high glucose-induced EMT and fibrogenesis by regulating the miR-216a-5p/BMP7 axis in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the leading causes of mortality in diabetic patients. Long non-coding RNA zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 antisense 1 (ZEB1-AS1) plays a crucial role in the development of various diseases, including DN. However, the molecular mechanism of ZEB1-AS1 in DN pathogenesis remains elusive. An in vitro DN model was established by treating HK-2 cells with high glucose (HG). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect the expression levels of ZEB1-AS1, microRNA-216a-5p (miR-216a-5p), and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7). Western blot assay was used to evaluate the protein levels of BMP7, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, and fibrosis markers. Additionally, the interaction among ZEB1-AS1, miR-216a-5p, and BMP7 was predicted by MiRcode (http://www.mircode.org) and starBase 2.0 (omics_06102, omicX), and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. ZEB1-AS1 and BMP7 were down-regulated, while miR-216a-5p was highly expressed in kidney tissues of DN patients. Consistently, HG treatment decreased the levels of ZEB1-AS1 and BMP7, whereas HG increased miR-216a-5p expression in HK-2 cells in a time-dependent manner. ZEB1-AS1 upregulation inhibited HG-induced EMT and fibrogenesis. Furthermore, ZEB1-AS1 directly targeted miR-216a-5p, and overexpression of miR-216a-5p restored the inhibitory effects of ZEB1-AS1 overexpression on EMT and fibrogenesis. BMP7 was negatively targeted by miR-216a-5p. In addition, ZEB1-AS1 suppressed HG-induced EMT and fibrogenesis by regulating miR-216a-5p and BMP-7. lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 inhibited high glucose-induced EMT and fibrogenesis via regulating miR-216a-5p/BMP7 axis in diabetic nephropathy, providing a potential target for DN therapy.

Evaluation of cartilage regeneration by arthroscopy after high tibial osteotomy / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the cartilage regeneration in the knee joint by arthroscopy after high tibial osteotomy.@*METHODS@#Eleven patients were included in the study who were treated with high tibial osteotomy and underwent microscopy when the internal fixation was unloaded from September 2017 to September 2019. Among them, there were 2 males and 9 females, aged from 55 to 64 years old. The internal and external compartment pictures of the knee were taken before and after surgery of removing the internal fixation and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading systerm was used to evaluate the degree of cartilage damage on the medial and lateral femoralcondyles and tibial plateau. The Westrn Ontarioand Mcmaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and the weight bearing line (WBL) were used to evaluate the function of the knee and the alignment of the lower limb.@*RESULTS@#All 8 patients were followed up for more than 12 months, ranging from 12 to 22 months. The degenerated cartilage of the medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau was covered by newly regenerated cartilage. WOMAC score decreased from 102-127 to 41-52 and WBL was improved from 17%-34% to 58%-64%. All incisions healed in stageⅠ, and no complications such as internal fixation rupture and infection occurred during and after the operation.@*CONCLUSION@#High tibial osteotomy can relieve the pain of the knee and the dysfunction by adjusting lower limb alignment, and the degenerated cartilage could be regenerated in the medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau.

Polygraph Accuracy of Control Question Test in Criminal Cases / 法医学杂志

Objective To explore polygraph accuracy of Control Question Test （CQT）and whether it could be influenced by examinee's education level and type of violation of law. Methods Real cases of CQT （n=104） and the data from MAO （n=296） were collected. The polygraph accuracy of CQT was calculated. Variance analysis on three groups of different education levels was used to compare their age, and then the chi-square test was employed to compare polygraph accuracy among the groups. Independent sample t test was used to compare the age of subjects in the two groups of different types of violation of law, and then chi-square test was used to compare the true positive rate and true negative rate of lie detection after integration. Results In CQT lie detection of criminal cases, the true positive rate was 87.00%, the false negative rate was 13.00%, the true negative rate was 82.20%, and the false positive rate was 17.80%. There was no statistical significance in the differences between the true positive rate and the true negative rate （P>0.05）. In CQT lie detection of the groups of different education levels, there was no statistical significance in the differences between the true positive rates （P>0.05） while the differences between the true negative rates had statistical significance （P<0.05）. There was no statistical significance in the differences of both the true positive rates and the true negative rates between the violent violation of law and non-violent violation of law （P>0.05）. Conclusion There is no significant difference between the efficiency of CQT lie detection of identifying criminals and excluding innocents. However, a comparatively high false positive rate and false negative rate still exist. The efficiency of CQT lie detection identifying criminals may not influenced by the examinee's education level and type of violation of law, but its efficiency of excluding innocents may be influenced by the examinee's education level.

The Research on Orientation Mechanisms of Public Hospitals / 中国卫生经济

The reform of public hospital was the focus and difficulty in the new round of health care system reform.More complex situations and more arduous challenges,which occurred in deepening the reform,were gradually leading the solution retransfer to the analysis of fundamental orientation mechanisms of public hospitals in theoretical and practical dimension.The co-existence of policy orientation,social orientation and self-orientation,relying on their own way or combined effect,made a significant impact on the further development of public hospitals.

Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Phosphorus Metabolism in Hemodialysis Patients: A Preliminary Exploration / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Hyperphosphatemia is a risk factor associated with mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Gut absorption of phosphate is the major source. Recent studies indicated that the intestinal flora of uremic patients changed a lot compared with the healthy population, and phosphorus is an essential element of bacterial survival and reproduction. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of intestinal microbiota in phosphorus metabolism.@*Methods@#A prospective self-control study was performed from October 2015 to January 2016. Microbial DNA was isolated from the stools of 20 healthy controls and 21 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Fourteen out of the 21 patients were treated with lanthanum carbonate for 12 weeks. Thus, stools were also collected before and after the treatment. The bacterial composition was analyzed based on 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing. Bioinformatics tools, including sequence alignment, abundance profiling, and taxonomic diversity, were used in microbiome data analyses. Correlations between genera and the serum phosphorus were detected with Pearson's correlation. For visualization of the internal interactions and further measurement of the microbial community, SparCC was used to calculate the Spearman correlation coefficient with the corresponding P value between each two genera.@*Results@#Thirteen genera closely correlated with serum phosphorus and the correlation coefficient was above 0.4 (P < 0.05). We also found that 58 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were significantly different and more decreased OTUs were identified and seven genera (P < 0.05) were obviously reduced after using the phosphate binder. Meanwhile, the microbial richness and diversity presented downward trend in hemodialysis patients compared with healthy controls and more downward trend after phosphorus reduction. The co-occurrence network of genera revealed that the network complexity of hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than that of controls, whereas treatment with lanthanum carbonate reduced the network complexity.@*Conclusions@#Gut flora related to phosphorus metabolism in hemodialysis patients, and improving intestinal microbiota may regulate the absorption of phosphate in the intestine. The use of phosphate binder lanthanum carbonate leads to a tendency of decreasing microbial diversity and lower network complexity.

Change of heart function and its relationship with AMS during acute high-altitude exposure at 3658 m in Chongqing soldiers / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To observe the cardiac function during high-altitude exposure in Chongqing soldiers and to discuss its relationship with acute mountain sickness ( AMS ) by echocardiography .METHODS: The changes of heart function were evaluated during acute high-altitude exposure (3658 m, 3 d) in 42 healthy young male soldiers by echocar-diography.At the same time, the heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and the incidence of AMS after high-altitude exposure were observed and recorded .RESULTS:Three days after arrival at 3658 m, the left atrial end-systolic dimension (LADs), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) and right atrial end-systolic dimension were signifi-cantly decreased , but the right ventricular outflow tract diameter , pulmonary artery dimension , ejection fraction , cardiac output (CO), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly in-creased compared with the baseline levels in all subjects .The mitral peak E velocity was significantly reduced (P<0.05). A total of 42 healthy young men were recruited and divided into AMS group with 15 subjects and non-AMS group with 27 subjects by Lake Louise scoring after high-altitude exposure .The cardiac function in the plain showed that aortic sinus di-ameter and LVDd in AMS group were significantly smaller , and PASP was significantly higher than those in non-AMS group.After high-altitude exposure, the LADs in AMS group was significantly smaller than that in non-AMS group (P<0.05).AMS scores and CO in the plain showed significant negative correlation (r=-0.3814, P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:Upon acute high-altitude exposure , right ventricular functions of the young male soldiers are damaged with the com-pensation of the left ventricular functions .Using echocardiography to observe PASP and CO may be helpful for screening the susceptible people of AMS in the plain .

Effect of Miacalcic Combined with Calcium in the Treatment of Osteoporosis and Influence on Bone Metab-olism Index / 中国药师

Objective:To study the clinical efficacy of salmon calcitonin combined with calcium in the treatment of osteoporosis and the effect on bone metabolism index. Methods:Totally 360 cases of patients with osteoporosis were randomly divided into the ob-servation group and the control group with 180 ones in each. The patients in the control group were given compound calcium carbonate tablets, po, qd, and those in the observation group were given 50IU salmon calcitonin injection additionally, im, qd. After two months of treatment, the changes in pain score, bone density and bone metabolism related indicators of the two groups were compared before and after the treatment. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were observed as well. Results: After the treat-ment, both groups showed lower pain scores (P0. 05). The bone metabolism parameters including serum BGP,β-CTX, PTH, BNALP and 25OHVitD were signif-icantly improved when compared with those before the treatment (P<0. 01), and the improvement in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0. 01). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0. 01). Conclusion:Salmon calcitonin combined with calcium can significantly improve the efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis with improved pain scores and bone metabolism related indicators, and the combination is much better than calcium alone, however, the adverse reactions are significantly increased.

Study of clinical practical model of urinary system injury / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In order to improve the clinical treatment level of urinary system injury, it is necessary to build up an animal model of urinary system wound, which is not only analogous to real clinical practice, but also simple and practical.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We have developed the third generation of firearm fragment wound generator based on the first and the second producer. The best explosive charge of the blank cartridge was selected by gradient powder loading experiments. The firearm fragment injuries were made to the bulbous urethra of 10 New Zealand male rabbits. One week preoperatively and 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, all the animals underwent urethroscopy and urethrography. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, two animals were randomly selected and killed, and the urethra was cut off for pathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The shooting distance of the third generation of firearm fragment wound generator is 2 cm. The best explosive charge of the blank cartridge is 1 g of nitrocotton. All rabbits survived the procedures and stayed alive until they were killed. Injuries were limited to bulbous urethra and distal urethra. Round damaged areas, 1-1.5 cm in length, on the ventral wall were observed. Ureteroscopy results showed that canal diameter gradually shrank by over 50% in 9 rabbits. The rate of success was 90%. Urethrography result noted that a 1-1.3 cm stricture was formed at the bulbous urethra. Histology results of injured stricture urethra showed that fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia and hyaline degeneration caused further stricture in the canal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The third generation of firearm fragment wound generator imitates the bullet firing process and is more accurate and repeatable. The corresponding rabbit model of traumatic complex urethral stricture simulates the real complex clinical conditions. This animal model provides a standardized platform for clinical researches on treating traumatic injuries to the urinary system.</p>

Thymosin Beta-4 Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Enhances Human Nucleus Pulposus Cell Proliferation and Reduces Cell Apoptosis and Senescence / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Thymosin beta-4 (TB-4) is considered key roles in tissue development, maintenance and pathological processes. The study aimed to prove TB-4 positive biological function on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and slowing the process of cell aging while increasing the cell proliferation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TB-4 recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) was constructed and induced to human NP cells. Cell of same group were cultured without gene modification as controlled group. Proliferation capacity and cell apoptosis were observed during 6 passages of the cells. Morphology and expression of the TB-4 gene were documented as parameter of cell activity during cell passage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NP cells with TB-4 transfection has normal TB-4 expression and exocytosis. NP cells with TB-4 transfection performed significantly higher cell activity than that at the control group in each generation. TB-4 recombinant AAV-transfected human NP cells also show slower cell aging, lower cell apoptosis and higher cell proliferation than control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TB-4 can prevent NP cell apoptosis, slow NP cell aging and promote NP cell proliferation. AAV transfection technique was able to highly and stably express TB-4 in human NP cells, which may provide a new pathway for innovation in the treatment of intervertebral disc degenerative diseases.</p>

The correlation study on syndrome differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis and joint high frequency ultrasound performance / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the differential effect of joint ultrasound on the syndrome differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by observing the high frequency ultrasound performances among inactive stage and different syndromes in active stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 83 RA patients in the active stage were assigned to the dampness heat syndrome group (DHS, 59 cases)and the cold dampness syndrome group (CDS, 24 cases) according to Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome typing. Besides, 20 RA patients in the remission stage were recruited as the control group (abbreviated as the remission group). By using high frequency ultrasound and power Doppler ultrasound technology, a comparative observation of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints, knee joints, the second and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (a total of 24 joints) was performed in all patients. Correlation analyses were performed between the ultrasound performance, laboratory indices, and the disease activity. Ultrasound data of each RA patient were analyzed by their total scores. Χ2 test was used for enumeration data. The measurement data was expressed as x ± s. One-way ANOVA was used for data of normal distribution, while non- parametric test was used for data of non-normal distribution. Correlation analysis of two variables was performed for clinical indicators and ultrasound indicators. Its significance was detected using Pearson correlation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the remission group, the severity degree of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion significantly increased in the DHS group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the severity degree of synovitis and synovial blood flow, and DAS28 score in the CDS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CDS group, there was statistical difference in the four ultrasound indices (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF in the DHS group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in G, IgG, IgA, or IgM among the three groups (P > 0.05). There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the DHS group (r = 0.444, 0.397, 0.486, P < 0.05).There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, bone erosion, and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.378, 0.270, P < 0.05). There existed positive correlation between the DAS28 score and the synovitis degree and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.304, 0.351, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The inflammation degree was the most severe in RA patients of DHS. High frequency ultrasound could provide better evidence for Chinese medical syndrome differentiation of RA patients.</p>

Effects of ketamine on proliferation and apoptosis of pheochromocytoma cell / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of ketamine on adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell proliferation inhibition and induction of apoptosis and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#PC12 cells of rats were models for dopaminergic neuron. PC12 cells were cultured with ketamine at concentrations of 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 and 2.1 mmol/L, respectively. The cell viability was measured by MTT method after incubation at 12, 24, 48 and 72h. Hoechst stain was used to observe the morphological changes of apoptosis. PC12 cells cultured after 48 h with different concentrations of ketamine were selected to detect apoptotic rate using flow cytometry and detect the expression of bax and bcl-2 proteins using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#For different concentrations of ketamine, vitality of PC12 cells significantly decreased with increase of the incubation time. Apoptosis was obviously observed using Hoechst staining. Flow cytometry showed that apoptosis rates significantly increased with increasing ketamine concentrations.@*CONCLUSION@#Ketamine can inhibit the proliferation of PC12 cell by inducing apoptosis of the PC12 cell in a concentrations-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism may be related to promoting the expression of bax and inhibiting the expression of bcl-2 in the cells.

Effect of preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin in advanced gastric cancer / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Sapylin is one of the biological response modifiers. It has been used in the comprehensive treatment for advanced cancer, and its clinical efficacy has been proved. This study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin in treatment of advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-nine patients eligible for radical gastrectomy were randomly divided into the treatment group (Sapylin + mitomycin C, 40 patients) and the control group (mitomycin C alone, 39 patients). In the treatment group, 5 KE Sapylin was injected intraperitoneally 48 h before operation and 4 mg of mitomycin C was injected into peritoneal cavity before the closure of the peritoneum. In the control group, only 4 mg mitomycin C was injected into peritoneal cavity before the closure of the peritonium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no operative mortality or duodenal stump leakage in the two groups. Postoperative complications were anastomotic leakage (2.5%, 1/40) and incision rupture (2.5%, 1/40) in the treatment group, and incision rupture (2.6%, 1/39) in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 3-year survival rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (76.5% vs. 49.4%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin can raise the 3-year survival rate after radical gastrectomy , without increasing the incidence rate of operative complications. Preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin is therefore a valuable therapy for advanced gastric cancer in clinic.</p>

Improved nitric acid digestion method for detecting diatom in autopsy tissue / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the advantages of nitric acid digestion method and its differences with the traditional method.@*METHODS@#Ethanol was used to fully fix the testing sample. About 80-100 g of the testing samples were cut into pieces and digested with nitric acid. It was then centrifuged and washed to remove organic components. Smears were prepared and examined under the light microscope.@*RESULTS@#The diatom had been identified with clear striations, counted conveniently and classified easily.@*CONCLUSION@#The improved nitric acid digestion method is not only simple with a higher successful rate of detection, but also can prevent interference from contamination. It can improve the stability of the experimental results, avoid harm to human and environment, and provide higher safety in the course of experiment.

Estrogen protects the dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra against damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine / 生理学报

Substantial evidence strongly implies that sensory gating P50 (also called P50 auditory evoked potential, P50) and dopaminergic neurotransmitters are related. In animal experiment, P50 can be recorded in an awake and quiet state with freedom of movement. Until now there is lack of animal experimental data on the supportive effect of estrogen on function of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (SN) in physiological state. In the present study, female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used as subjects. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: (1) control group (normal animals); (2) Parkinson's disease (PD) model group: the right SN was lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA); (3) PD model with bilateral ovariectomized group (OVX-PD): bilateral ovariectomy was performed before administration with 6-OHDA; (4) estrogen + PD model with bilateral ovariectomized group (OVX-E(2)-PD): physiological dose of estrogen was given to the bilateral ovariectomy animals before administration with 6-OHDA. P50 induced by two brief acoustic stimuli were recorded in the right SN and the number of TH(+) dopaminergic neurons in the SN stained by immunohistochemistry was calculated after the determination of P50. The results showed that in the PD model group, the testing/conditioning (T/C) ratio of P50 decreased by 40.60% and the number of TH(+) cells in the right SN decreased by 64.74% as compared with that in the control group (P<0.01); In the OVX-PD group, the T/C ratio of P50 decreased by 45.88% and the number of TH(+) cells was reduced by 57.26% as compared with that in the PD group (P<0.01). Administration with 6-OHDA into the SN pars compacta of ovariectomized rats caused more decrease in the number of TH(+) cells as well as more damage to the function of sensory gating in SN. While in OVX-E(2)-PD group, intramuscular injection with estrogen at physiological dose 3 d before 6-OHDA administration decreased the degree of damage to the SN functionally and morphologically, and its degree of injury corresponded to PD group. These results indicate that the mechanism of protection of dopaminergic neurons in the SN provided by physiological level of estrogen is by promoting the resistibility of the neurons to harmful stimulation. If the gonads are resected resulting in a lack of estrogen, the degree of injury to the function and morphology of dopaminergic neurons in SN induced by 6-OHDA increases. Replacement of estrogen at physiological level on time is necessary. Sensory gating P50 in SN may reflect dynamically the protection of estrogen against dopaminergic neurons depletion in vivo.