Single-Slice Hounsfield Unit (HU) Value of the Chinese Proximal Humerus on Routine Chest CT: A Study on Opportunistically Screening for Low Bone Density / Valor de Unidad Hounsfield (HU) de Corte Único del Húmero Proximal Chino en una Tomografía Computarizada de Tórax de Rutina: Un Estudio sobre la Detección Oportunista de Baja Densidad Ósea

SUMMARY: A Study on Relationship between Single-Slice Hounsfield Unit(HU) value of the Chinese proximal humerus and Bone Mineral Density(BMD) Using Routine Chest CT and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DEXA) was performed. Data were collected from 240 individuals who underwent DEXA and routine chest CT scans (including full images of the proximal humerus) on the same day at 967 Hospitals between January 2019 and December 2021. The method of measuring single-slice HU values of the proximal humerus on routine chest CT scans exhibited high reliability and repeatability (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.961, P < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between single-slice HU values of the proximal humerus and DEXA results, with the 20-mm HU value demonstrating the highest correlation. Across different BMI groups, the Area Under Curve (AUC) for the 20-mm HU value was consistently the largest (AUC=0.701- 0.813, P< 0.05). Therefore, the 20-mm HU value can be considered a reliable reference for the opportunistic screening of low BMD, with reference values of -4HU for underweight individuals, -13HU for normal weight individuals, -7HU for overweight individuals, and -16HU for obese individuals. Values below these thresholds indicate a risk of low BMD. This study enriches the Chinese BMD data and offers a swift and effective approach for opportunistically screening low BMD.

Se realizó un estudio sobre la relación entre el valor de la Unidad Hounsfield (HU) de corte único del húmero proximal chino y la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) mediante TC de tórax de rutina y absorciometría de rayos X de energía dual (DEXA). Se recopilaron datos de 240 personas que se sometieron a DEXA y tomografías computarizadas de rutina de tórax (incluidas imágenes completas del húmero proximal) el mismo día en 967 hospitales entre enero de 2019 y diciembre de 2021. El método para medir los valores de HU de un solo corte del húmero proximal en las tomografías computarizadas de tórax mostraron alta confiabilidad y repetibilidad (coeficiente de correlación intraclase > 0,961, P < 0,001). Se observó una fuerte correlación positiva entre los valores de HU de un solo corte del húmero proximal y los resultados de DEXA, demostrando el valor de HU de 20 mm la correlación más alta. En diferentes grupos de IMC, el área bajo la curva (AUC) para el valor HU de 20 mm fue consistentemente el más grande (AUC = 0,701-0,813, P <0,05). Por lo tanto, el valor de HU de 20 mm puede considerarse una referencia fiable para el cribado oportunista de DMO baja, con valores de referencia de -4 HU para personas con bajo peso, -13 HU para personas con peso normal, -7 HU para personas con sobrepeso y -16 HU para personas obesas. Los valores por debajo de estos umbrales indican un riesgo de DMO baja. Este estudio es un aporte para los datos chinos sobre la DMO y ofrece un enfoque rápido y eficaz para detectar de forma oportunista la DMO baja.

Physicochemical Processes of Biofilm Formation on The Surface of Structures in Water / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Microorganisms can form biofilms, complex, heterogeneous, multicellular communities that adhere to surfaces. Biofilm formation on the surface of structures in water will accelerate structures’ corrosion, seriously affect their service efficiency and life, and significantly impact the growth of animals, plants, and human life. Hence, clarifying the mechanism of biofilm formation contributes to developing new strategies to control biofilm formation on surface and then reduce infections, biofouling, and contaminations. Biofilm-targeting strategies include the regulation of established biofilms or the modulation of single-cell attachment. In most studies, physicochemical mechanism is frequently applied to explain the initial bacterial adhesion phenomena but rarely to explain other stages of biofilm formation. This review presents a five-step comprehensive description of the physicochemical process from film formation to biofilm maturation: (1) period of film formation; (2) period of bacterial adhesion; (3) period of extracellular-polymeric-substances (EPSs) membrane formation; (4) period of regulating biofilm by quorum sensing (QS); (5) period of biofilm maturation. We first clarify how the film formed by compound molecules affects the surface’s physicochemical properties and initial adhesion, summarizing many factors that affect bacterial adhesion. We then review the types of EPSs and signal molecules secreted by bacteria after irreversible adhesion, as well as their role and QS mechanism in biofilm maturation. Finally, we discuss how bacteria or microcolonies separate from the mature biofilm by physicochemical action and summarize the morphology and adhesion characterization methods after the biofilm matures. This review redefines the role of physicochemical in the whole process of biofilm formation and provides a theoretical basis for the prevention, removal, and utilization of biofilm and other related research fields.

Bony structures at the attachment areas of the cruciate ligaments in human knee joints and their clinical significance-studied using the P45 plastination technique / Estructuras óseas en las áreas de inserción de los ligamentos cruzados en las articulaciones de la rodilla humana y su importancia clínica, estudiadas mediante la técnica de plastinación P45

SUMMARY: For treating cruciate ligament injuries, especially for characterizing the mechanics of the tunnel in cruciate ligament reconstruction, correctly understanding the bony information of the attachment area of the cruciate ligaments is significant. We studied 31 knee joints of middle-aged Chinese adults using the P45 sheet plastination technique, focusing on the attachment areas of the cruciate ligaments, especially the bony structures. The trabeculae at the attachment area were distributed radially and extended deep into the medial wall of the lateral condyle of the femur. However, in the anterior part of the intercondylar eminence, the trabeculae of the anterior group were parallelly arranged along the tendinous fibers of the anterior cruciate ligament, while the trabeculae of the posterior group were parallelly arranged along the perpendicular direction of the anterior cruciate ligament fibers. Similarly, at the attachment area of the lateral wall of the medial condyle of the posterior cruciate ligament, the trabeculae extended radially toward the deep medial condyle. Deep in the posterior part of the intercondylar eminence, the trabeculae were arranged longitudinally. In the anterior part of the intercondylar eminence, the trabeculae were parallelly arranged along the perpendicular directions of ligament fibers. The distribution patterns of the trabecular at the attachment areas of the cruciate ligaments at the ends of the femur and tibia were different. This difference should be considered when orthopedic surgeons reconstruct anterior cruciate ligaments.

Para el tratamiento de lesiones de los ligamentos cruzados, especialmente para caracterizar la mecánica del túnel en su reconstrucción, es importante comprender correctamente la información ósea del área de inserción de estos ligamentos. Estudiamos 31 articulaciones de rodilla de individuos chinos, adultos, de mediana edad, utilizando la técnica de plastinación de láminas P45, centrándonos en las áreas de unión de los ligamentos cruzados, especialmente en las estructuras óseas. Las trabéculas en el área de inserción se distribuyeron radialmente y se extendieron profundamente en la pared medial del cóndilo lateral del fémur. Sin embargo, en la parte anterior de la eminencia intercondílea, las trabéculas del grupo anterior estaban dispuestas paralelamente a lo largo de las fibras tendinosas del ligamento cruzado anterior, mientras que las trabéculas del grupo posterior estaban dispuestas paralelamente a lo largo de la dirección perpendicular de las fibras del ligamento cruzado anterior. De manera similar, en el área de inserción en la cara lateral del cóndilo medial del ligamento cruzado posterior, las trabéculas se extendían radialmente y profundas hacia el cóndilo medial. Profundamente en la parte posterior de la eminencia intercondílea, las trabéculas estaban dispuestas longitudinalmente. En la parte anterior de la eminencia intercondílea, las trabéculas estaban dispuestas paralelamente a lo largo de las direcciones perpendiculares de las fibras del ligamento. Los patrones de distribución del tejido óseo trabecular en las áreas de unión de los ligamentos cruzados en los extremos del fémur y la tibia eran diferentes. Estas diferencias deben tenerse en consideración cuando los cirujanos ortopédicos reconstruyen los ligamentos cruzados anteriores.

A comparative study of the morphology of suboccipital cavernous sinus using magnetic resonance imaging and cast specimens / Un estudio comparativo de la morfología del seno cavernoso suboccipital utilizando imágenes de resonancia magnética y muestras de yeso

SUMMARY: A comparative study of the morphology of suboccipital cavernous sinus (SCS) using MRI and cast specimens was performed. The present retrospective study analysed the craniocervical magnetic resonance venography (MRV) imaging data of 61 patients. Three-dimensional reconstruction was performed using Mimics 19.0. The SCS left-right diameter(d1), distance from the midline (d2), supero-inferior diameter(d3), anteroposterior diameter (d4), distance from posterior diameter to skin (d5), and diameter of the SCS at different parts (d6-d8) were measured. Comparison between MRV images and cast specimens, the SCS, marginal sinus, anterior condylar vein, and vertebral artery venous plexus were symmetrical and could be bilaterally displayed, whereas the presence of extra condylar vein and posterior condylar vein exhibited different types. The adjacency between the SCS and its communicating vessels and changes in its communicating vessels corresponded well with the MRV images and cast specimens. Many types of the presence of left and right lateral condylar and posterior condylar veins were found in the cast specimens, which could be divided into the bilateral presence of posterior condylar and lateral condylar veins, unilateral presence of posterior condylar veins, and unilateral presence of lateral condylar vein. A total of 61 cases analysed using MRV images revealed the bilateral presence of posterior condylar and lateral condylar veins (77.1 %), the unilateral presence of posterior condylar vein (18.0 %), and the unilateral presence of lateral condylar vein (9.8 %), of which the bilateral presence of posterior condylar and lateral condylar veins accounted for the largest proportion. MRV images and cast specimens of the SCS showed its normal morphological structure and adjacency, thus providing accurate and complete Three-dimensional imaging anatomical data of the SCS and its communicating vascular structures. This study enriches the Chinese SCS imaging anatomy data and may be valuable in clinical practice.

RESUMEN: Se realizó un estudio comparativo de la morfología del seno cavernoso suboccipital (SCS) mediante resonancia magnética y muestras de yeso. El presente estudio retrospectivo analizó los datos de imágenes de venografía por resonancia magnética (RNM) craneocervical de 61 pacientes. La reconstrucción tridimensional se realizó con Mimics 19.0. Se midió: el diámetro izquierdo-derecho del SCS (d1), la distancia desde la línea mediana (d2), el diámetro superoinferior (d3), el diámetro anteroposterior (d4), la distancia desde el diámetro posterior hasta la piel (d5) y el diámetro del SCS en diferentes partes (d6-d8). En la comparación entre las imágenes RNM y las muestras de yeso, el SCS, el seno marginal, la vena condilar anterior y el plexo venoso de la arteria vertebral eran simétricos y se observaron bilateralmente, mientras que la presencia de la vena extracondilar y la vena condilar posterior presentaba tipos diferentes. La proximidad del SCS y sus vasos comunicantes y los cambios en sus vasos comunicantes se correspondieron bien con las imágenes de RNM y los especímenes moldeados. Se encontraron muchos tipos de venas condilares laterales y condilares posteriores izquierda y derecha en las muestras de yeso, que podrían dividirse en presencia bilateral de venas condilares posteriores y condilares laterales, presencia unilateral de venas condilares posteriores y presencia unilateral de venas condilares laterales. Un total de 61 casos analizados mediante imágenes MRV revelaron la presencia bilateral de venas condilares posteriores y condilares laterales (77,1 %), la presencia unilateral de venas condilares posteriores (18,0 %) y la presencia unilateral de venas condilares laterales (9,8 %) de los cuales la presencia bilateral de las venas condilar posterior y condilar lateral representó la mayor proporción. Las imágenes de RNM y las muestras de yeso del SCS mostraron su estructura morfológica y adyacencia normales, lo que proporcionó datos anatómicos de imágenes tridimensionales precisos y completos del SCS y sus estructuras vasculares comunicantes. Este estudio enriquece los datos de anatomía de imágenes de SCS chino y puede ser valioso en la práctica clínica.

Construction and application of luciferase-microRNA-126 sponge adenovirus / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To establish a construction method for luciferase-microRNA (miRNA) sponge adenovirus, and to verify the binding efficiency of the expression product of the adenovirus and miRNA. Methods DNA fragments that can be partly complementary to miRNA-126 were chemically synthesized. The miRNA-126 sponge fragments were amplified by PCR, and cloned into pMD-18T vector and the 3'-end non-coding region of psiCheck2 plasmid; hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge was further cloned into Ad-Track plasmid. After linearization by Pme I, Ad-Track-hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge plasmid was transformed into competent Escherichia coli strains BJ5183 to homologous recombinate with Ad-Easy plasmid; recombinant Ad-Easy-hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge plasmid was identified by Pac I, and then transfected into 293 cells to produce adenovirus. Adenovirus was used to infect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and the effect of miRNA-126 on cell migration ability was detected by scratch test. Results The miRNA-126 sponge had a good complementary base-pairing relationship with miRNA-126; double luciferase experiment showed that miRNA-126 could directly act on hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge. Cloning hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge into Ad-Track plasmid made it possible to synchronously monitor the efficiency of cellular transfection and miRNA inhibition. Ad-Easy-hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge plasmid was successfully established by homologous recombination of Ad-Track and Ad-Easy, identified by Pac I digestion with 4.5 kb fragments. When transfected into 293 cells, luciferase-miRNA sponge adenovirus was obtained 7 days later. Overexpression of miRNA-126 inhibited the expression of hRluc-miRNA-126 sponge (P<0.01). Infection with miRNA-126 sponge adenovirus inhibited the migration of HUVECs (P<0.05). Conclusion Luciferase-miRNA sponge adenovirus has been successfully established. MiRNA-126 has a high binding efficiency with the expressed product of the adenovirus..

Anatomical parameters of the rectus capitis posterior major and obliqus capitis inferior muscles based on an oblique sagittal magnetic resonance scan method / Parámetros anatómicos de los músculos recto posterior mayor de la cabeza y oblicuo mayor de la cabeza basados en un método oblicuo sagital de exploración por resonancia magnética

The deep suboccipital muscles has been shown to connect the spinal dura mater via dense connective tissue termed the myodural bridge (MDB). The MDB has both physiological and clinical implications. Data on morphological and imaging anatomical parameters of the deep suboccipital muscles are scare. In this study, T2-weighted images of rectus capitis posterior major (RCPma) and obliqus capitis inferior (OCI) of 109 healthy adults were obtained by 0-degree sagittal and 30-degree oblique sagittal continuous MRI scanning of the head and neck of the subjects. Sectional area parameters of the RCPma and the OCI were measured. The 0-degree sagittal section was measured with 5 mm bias from the median sagittal plane, the sectional area of the RCPma was 186.34± 55.02 mm2 on the left, and 202.35± 59.76 mm2 on the right. The sectional area of OCI was 221.72± 68.99 mm2 on the left, and 224.92± 61.34 mm2 on the right; At the section with 30-degree bias from the oblique sagittal plane, the sectional area of RCPma was 183.30± 42.24 mm2 in males, and 133.05± 26.44 mm2 in females. The sectional area of OCI was 254.81± 46.20 mm2 in males, and 167.42± 27.85 mm2 in females. Significant sex difference exists in the sectional areas of the RCPma and OCI, the values of the male subjects were predominantly larger (P < 0.05), however there were no age- related significant difference. The sectional area of RCPma is bilateral asymmetric, the RCPma on the right side is larger than that of the left side (P < 0.05), but the OCI is bilaterally symmetric (P >0.05). The MRI image features, imaging anatomical data and sexual dimorphism of the RCPma and the OCI are presented in this study. This imaging anatomical data will be useful for functional and clinical studies on the RCPma, OCI, and the MDB.

Se ha demostrado que los músculos suboccipitales profundos conectan la duramadre espinal a través del tejido conectivo denso denominado puente miodural (PMD). El PMD tiene implicaciones tanto fisiológicas como clínicas. Los datos sobre los parámetros anatómicos y morfológicos y de imagen de los músculos suboccipitales profundos son alarmantes. En este estudio, se obtuvieron imágenes ponderadas en T2 del músculo recto posterior mayor (RCPma) y del músculo oblicuo mayor de la cabeza (OCI) de 109 adultos sanos, mediante una exploración de la cabeza y el cuello sagital de 0 grados y sagital oblicua de 30 grados. Se midieron los parámetros de área seccional del RCPma y el OCI. La sección sagital de 0 grados se midió con un sesgo de 5 mm desde el plano mediano, el área de la sección de la RCPma fue 186,34 ± 55,02 mm2 a la izquierda y 202,35 ± 59,76 mm2 a la derecha. El área seccional de OCI fue 221.72 ± 68.99 mm2 a la izquierda y 224.92 ± 61.34 mm2 a la derecha. En la sección de 30 grados desde el plano sagital oblicuo, el área de la sección de RCPma fue de 183.30 ± 42.24 mm2 en los hombres, y 133.05 ± 26.44 mm2 en las mujeres. El área seccional de OCI fue de 254.81 ± 46.20 mm2 en varones y 167.42 ± 27.85 mm2 en mujeres. Existe una diferencia significativa según el sexo en las áreas seccionales de la RCPma y la OCI, los valores de los sujetos masculinos fueron predominantemente mayores (P <0.05). Sin embargo, no hubo diferencia significativa relacionada con la edad. El área de la sección de RCPma es bilateral asimétrica, la RCPma en el lado derecho es más grande que la del lado izquierdo (P <0.05), pero el OCI es bilateralmente simétrico (P> 0.05). Las características de la imagen de resonancia magnética, los datos anatómicos de imágenes y el dimorfismo sexual de la RCPma y la OCI se presentan en este estudio. Estos datos anatómicos de imágenes serán útiles para estudios funcionales y clínicos en RCPma, OCI y PMD.

Anatomical parameters of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle based on a new magnetic resonance scan method / Parámetros anatómicos del músculo recto posterior menor de la cabeza basado en un nuevo método de escaner con resonancia magnética

The past findings confirm that the Rectus Capitis Posterior minor (RCPmi) is connected to the cervical spinal dura mater via the Myodural Bridge (MDB) through the posterior antlanto-occipital interspace. It is hypothesized to perform some functions. Furthermore, some clinical studies found that the pathology of RCPmi might be related to chronic headaches. But few studies were related to the morphological parameters of the RCPmi. It would be conducive to performing clinical researches on the RCPmi and MDB. To explore the optimal section for measuring the RCPmi by MRI and provide imaging anatomy parameters of the RCPmi for clinical research. The RCPmi was measured in the dissection of 10 formalin-fixed cadaver specimens. The morphological parameters of the RCPmi were obtained. Based on these parameters, T2-weighted images of the RCPmi were collected from 109 healthy adults by using the MRIs with different oblique sagittal scanning angles. The parameters of length and area of the RCPmi on the scanning sections were measured using MRI workstation and Mimics software. The length of RCPmi reached a maximum at 30 degrees scanning leaned from the posterior median line through the dens of the axis in oblique sagittal section. At this scanning section, the length of RCPmi was 21.2 ± 2.6 mm in males and 19.3 ± 2.4 mm in females and the area of RCPmi was 91.9 ± 27.2 mm2 in males and 73.3 ± 22 mm2 in females. These parameters of RCPmi were present with significant gender differences (P < 0.05) but was not age related. Thirty degrees leaned from the median line was suggested to be the optimum scanning angle to display the RCPmi in oblique sagittal section. The reference values of length and area of the RCPmi were established for studies of hypertrophy or amyotrophy of the RCPmi.

Hallazgos previos confirman que el músculo rector posterior menor de la cabeza (mRPMC) está conectado a la duramadre cervical por medio del puente miodural (PMD) a través del espacio intermedio antlanto-occipital posterior. Se plantea la hipótesis de su capacidad para realizar algunas funciones. Además, estudios clínicos encontraron que la patología del mRPMC podría estar relacionada con dolores de cabeza crónicos. Sin embargo, pocos estudios se relacionaron con los parámetros morfológicos del mRPMC. Se buscará realizar investigaciones clínicas sobre el mRPMC y el PMD, además de explorar la sección óptima que permita medir el mRPMC por resonancia magnética (RM) y que permita obtener la imagen adecuada para la identificación de los parámetros anatómicos del mRPMC en la investigación clínica. Se midió el mRPMC durante la disección de 10 especímenes, correspondientes a cadáveres fijados con formalina. Se obtuvieron los parámetros morfológicos del mRPMC. Basándose en estos parámetros, se estudiaron imágenes ponderadas en T2 del mRPMC de 109 adultos sanos, utilizando las resonancias magnéticas con diferentes ángulos de exploración sagital oblicua. Los parámetros de longitud y área del mRPMC en las secciones de exploración se midieron utilizando la estación de trabajo del equipo de RM y el software Mimics. La longitud del mRPMC alcanzó un máximo de 30 grados de exploración, inclinado desde la línea mediana posterior, a través del eje en la sección sagital oblicua. En esta sección la longitud del mRPMC fue 21,2 ± 2,6 mm en los hombres y 19,3 ± 2,4 mm en las mujeres, y el área del mRPMC fue 91,9 ± 27,2 mm2 en los hombres y 73,3 ± 22 mm2 en las mujeres. Se observaron diferencias significativas de sexo en estos parámetros del mRPMC (P <0,05) sin embargo estos no estaban relacionados con la edad. Se sugirieron 30 grados inclinados a partir de la línea mediana como el ángulo óptimo de exploración para mostrar el mRPMC en la sección sagital oblicua. Los valores de referencia de longitud y área del mRPMC se establecieron para estudios de hipertrofia o amiotrofia del mRPMC.

Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Glycemic Response to Pomelo in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Food intake has a great influence on blood glucose in patients with diabetes.This study was to determine the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of a particular pomelo named Majia pomelo and its effects on postprandial glucose (PPG) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Twenty healthy subjects and 20 T2D patients (controlled on lifestyle measures and/or metformin) were tested on 2 separate days with 50 g of glucose and 50 g equivalent of carbohydrates from Majia pomelo for GI measurement.To test effects of Majia pomelo on PPG,19 hospitalized T2D patients (controlled on insulin therapy) were selected for a 9-day study.The dose of insulin for each patient was adjusted on the first 3 days.A total of 100 mg Majia pomelo was consumed per meal in the last 3 tested days.Blood glucose was measured to evaluate the glycemic excursions.The GIs for Majia pomelo in healthy individuals and T2D patients were 78.34± 1.88 and 72.15±1.95 respectively.The value of GL was as low as 4.23 in diabetic patients with serving size of 100 g pomelo,indicting Majia pomelo as a high GI but low GL fruit.Consumption of Majia pomelo in hospitalized T2D patients did not cause significant glucose fluctuation.It was concluded that high GI pomelo can serve as a low GL fruit if it is consumed with a limited daily amount and thus can be supplied to diabetic patients.These results may mean more varieties of food choices for T2D patients.

Inflammation, insulin resistance and traditional chinese medicine treatment of diabetes mellitus / 中国药学杂志

Low grade inflammation has recently emerged as a common underlying cause of many chronic diseases. Heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and many types of cancer have all been associated with chronic inflammation. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Insulin resistance is a key component in the development of diabetes mellitus which is caused by inflammation, and throughout the whole process of diabetes. In recent years, research on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of diabetes has got lots of achievements, and makes a further analysis about insulin resistance of diabetic, while has profound significance in the treatment of diabetes in the future. Insulin resistance can be improved with Chinese herb medicine using compound, single herbal drug and its extracts. This review focuses on the pathogenesis of inflammation and insulin resistance, and the effects of Chinese herb medicine on insulin resistance in diabetes.

A new bibenzyl compound from Dendrobium nobile / 药学学报

In this study, seven bibenzyl compounds were isolated from the stem of Dendrobium nobile by silica gel, MCI column chromatographic and preparative HPLC technology. By using spectroscopic techniques including NMR and MS, these compounds were identified as 4, α-dihydroxy-3, 5, 3'-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), 4, 5-dihydroxy-3, 3', α-trimethoxybibenzyl (2), 4, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 5, 3'-trimethoxybibenzyl (3), 4, 5-dihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxybibenzyl (4), 4, 3'-dihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxybibenzyl (5), 5, 4'-dihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxybibenzyl (6) and 5, 3'-dihydroxy-3-methoxybibenzyl (7). Compound 1 is a new compound and compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.

Establishment of a cell model of insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the optimal conditions for establishing insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes.</p><p><b>METHOS</b>Dexamethason (DEX), 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX) and different concentrations of insulin (10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) mol·L(-1)) were used to induce 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into mature adipocytes identified by oil red O staining. We established insulin- resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes cell model (IR-3T3-L1) by exposing the cells to 1µmol·L(-1) DEX, and the changes of glucose concen- tration in the cell culture were determined by glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with DEX, IBMX and 10(-6) mol·L(-1)) insulin for 9 days resulted in the differentiation of >90% of the cells into mature adipocytes. IR-3T3-L1 cells cultured for 96 h in the culture media containing 1 µmol·L(-1) DEX showed significantly increased glucose consumption (P=0.0003) as compared with the control group at 36 h (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>3T3-L1 cells can be induced into mature adipocytes by exposure to 1 µmol·L(-1) DEX, 0.5 mmol·L(-1) IBMX and 10(-6) mol·L(-1)) insulin. A 96 h exposure to 1 µmol·L(-1) DEX can induce 3T3-L1 adipocytes to acquire insulin resistance that can be maintained for 36 h.</p>

Effects of rutaecarpine on inflammatory cytokines in insulin resistant primary skeletal muscle cells / 中国中药杂志

It is now well established that inflammation plays an important role in the development of numerous chronic metabolic diseases including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Skeletal muscle is responsible for 75% of total insulin-dependent glucose uptake; consequently, skeletal muscle IR is considered to be the primary defect of systemic IR development. Our pre- vious study has shown that rutaecarpine (Rut) can benefit blood lipid profile, mitigate inflammation, and improve kidney, liver, pan- creas pathology status of T2DM rats. However, the effects of Rut on inflammatory cytokines in the development of IR-skeletal muscle cells have not been studied. Thus, our objective was to investigate effects of Rut on inflammatory cytokines interleukiri (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in insulin resistant primary skeletal muscle cells (IR-PSMC). Primary cultures of skeletal muscle cells were prepared from 5 neonate SD rats, and the primary rat skeletal muscle cells were identified by cell morphology, effect of ru- taecarpine on cell proliferation by MTT assay. IR-PSMC cells were induced by palmitic acid (PA), the glucose concentration was measured by glucose oxidase and peroxidase (GOD-POD) method. The effects of Rut on inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in IR-PSMC cells were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The results show that the primary skeletal muscle cells from neonatal rat cultured for 2-4 days, parallel alignment regularly, and cultured for 7 days, cells fused and myotube formed. It was shown that Rut in concentration 0-180. 0 μmol x L(-1) possessed no cytotoxic effect towards cultured primary skeletal muscle cells. However, after 24 h exposure to 0.6 mmol x L(-1) PA, primary skeletal muscle cells were able to induce a state of insulin resistance. The results obtained indicated significant decrease (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α production by cultured IR-PSMC cells when incubating 24 hours with Rut, beginning from 20 to 180.0 μmol x L(-1). IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in the Rut treated groups were dose-dependently decreased compared with that in the IR-PSMC control group. Our results demonstrated that the Rut promoted glucose consumption and improved insulin resistance possibly through suppression of inflammatory cytokines in the IR-PSMC cells.

Effects of four kinds of Chinese medicine monomer on growth of PANC-1 xenograft tumor and studying of molecular mechanism / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The antitumor effects of icarisid II, timosaponin A-III, neferine and salidroside were studied in PANC-1 xenograft tumor.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To establish of the nude mice xenograft tumor model, PANC-1 cells were injected. When the tumor major diameter was reached 3-5 mm, the treatment was initiated. The mice were randomized into vehicle control and treatment groups of six animals per each. Chinese medicine monomer was injected intraperitoneally every day. In 23th day, mice were killed once a day, tumor tissue were isolated and weighed and divided into two parts. One part was fixed with formaldehyde for tissue section and immunohistochemistry, the another of tissue was frozen in liquid nitrogen then in - 80 degrees C refrigerator for gene and protein expression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In PANC-1 tumor xenograft experiment, compared with model group, timosaponin A-III (1.0 mg x kg (-1)) exerted significant inhibitory effects on tumor growth. Timosaponin A-III suppressed mRNA expressions of VEGF (P < 0.05), reduced protein expressions of VEGF (P < 0.05), activated Caspase-3 protein. Icarisid II, neferine and salidroside had not an excelled antitumor effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Timosaponin A-III exerted an excelled antitumor effect. The antitumor mechanisms include anti-angiogenesis, apoptosis promotion.</p>

Preventive effect of ganlong capsule on chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the preventive effect of Ganlong capsule on chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rat chronic hepatic injury model was induced by intragastrically administered with gradient alcohol, once a day for 12 weeks. Efforts were made to detect the content of ALT, AST, TG, CHO, TNF-alpha in rat serum and GSH, SOD, MDA, ADH, Alb in hepatic tissues were detected, conduct a hepatic pathological examination, and pathological injury grading for livers.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ganlong capsule could reduce the content of ALT, AST, TG in blood serum, MDA in hepatic tissues (P < 0.05), and enhance the activities of antioxidants such as SOD and GSH in hepatic tissues (P < 0.05). According to the liver histopathological observation, most structures of hepatic lobules in the model group were destroyed, with disordered liver cell cords, diffuse fat empty bubbles of different sizes in cytoplasm, focal necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells. All of treatment groups showed alleviation in rat liver injury to varying degrees.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ganlong capsule has a significant preventive effect to chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats.</p>

Antimicrobial resistance and penicillin resistance-associated genes of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from children with respiratory tract infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antimicrobial resistance and penicillin resistance-associated genes (TEM and pbp2B) of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) isolated from sputum specimens of Guangzhou children with respiratory tract infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>E-test and Kirby-Bauer methods were applied to detect the antibiotic susceptibility of 44 strains of S. pneumoniae. PCR was used to detect resistance genes pbp2B and TEM, followed by DNA sequence analysis of pbp2B gene. The sequence results were compared to those of penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae R6.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 44 isolates of S. pneumoniae, only 5 (11.4%) were susceptible to penicillin. All strains were resistant to erythromycin but susceptible to ofloxacin and vancomycin. The resistance rate of the isolates to clindamycin and trimoxazole was more than 90%. The S. pneumoniae isolates showed a high susceptibility to amoxicillin, imipenem and ceftriaxone, with a resistance rate of 0, 2.6% and 3.9%, respectively. The sequence analysis showed that more than 99% nucleotide sequence of pbp2B gene of five penicillin-susceptible isolates was the same as penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae R6, without any amino acid replacement. Site mutation was found in the remaining 39 penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates with a nucleotide mutation rate ranging from 13.2% to 23.1% and amino acid replacement rate from 6.5% to 10.9%. The 39 penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates were classified into 4 types according to the mutation site between Ser391 and Thr492 of pbp2B: type I (n=30), type II (n=7), type III (n=1) and type IV (n=1). No TEM gene was detected in all the 44 S. pneumoniae isolates.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The S.pneumoniae isolates from Guangzhou children with respiratory tract infection are resistant to penicillin and erythromycin. Amoxicillin and the third generation cephalosporin may be recommended for treating S. pneumoniae infection. The mutation of pbp2B gene plays an important role in the development of S. pneumoniae resistance to penicillin.</p>

Treatment of thoracic vertebrae tumor with posterior total vertebral resection and internal fixation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior total vertebral resection in treating thoracic vertebrae tumor in order to provide a safe and effective method in rebuilding spine stability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2002.1 to 2007.12, 18 patients with thoracic spine tumor underwent posterior total vertebral resection and internal fixation. Among the patients, 10 patients were male and 8 patients were female, ranging in age from 45 to 78 years, with an average of 56 years. The course of the diseases ranged from 2 to 13 months. After the operation, the tumor reccurence was monitored by X-ray, and the tumor markers were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up for a period ranging from 12 to 60 months, averaged 29 months. All the patients showed a postoperative neurologic improvement, as well as showed radiographic evidence of solid fusion in the follow-up examinations during 3 to 9 months, with an average of (8 +/- 1.4) months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Posterior total vertebral resection for the treatment of thoracic spine tumor is safe and effective.</p>

Surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae isolated from children in Guangzhou area between 2003 and 2004 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the situation of antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) and Hemophilus influenzae (Hi) clinical isolates from children in Guangzhou area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The authors cultured, isolated and identified the Sp and Hi strains from nasopharyngeal secretion of patients who visited Guangzhou Children's Hospital for upper respiratory tract infection between 2003 and 2004. K-B disc diffusion and E-test for antibiotic susceptibility were performed for these clinical isolates.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 172 and 484 strains of Sp and Hi were respectively isolated from nasopharyngeal secretions in the hospital. For Sp strains, the rates of resistance to penicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefaclor, erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ/TMP), clindamycin and ofloxacin were 32.0%, 11.1%, 32.6%, 18.1%, 39.5%, 82.6%, 78.5%, 24.4%, 87.2%, 69.2% and 3.1%, respectively. The penicillin non-susceptible Sp (PNSSP) isolates showed higher rates of resistance to other antimicrobial agents such as other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, erythromycin, and SMZ/TMP than those of penicillin susceptible Sp (PSSP) isolates. More than 90% of PNSSP were multidrug resistant strains. The average rate of beta-lactamase production among 484 strains of Hi was 29.5% (143/484). For Hi isolates, the rates of resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefaclor, SMZ/TMP, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, azithromycin, and ofloxacin were 40.1%, 3.4%, 4.1%, 1.9%, 5.6%, 56.2%, 52.1%, 17.4%, 2.1%, and 0.6%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antimicrobials resistant Sp and Hi isolated from children with respiratory tract infection in the area have become a severe problem. The rate of resistance to penicillin of Sp had been decreased compared with the last three years, but the rate of resistance to ceftriaxone of Sp increased, and the multidrug resistance rates of PNSSP was rather high. PNSSP was characterized by a multidrug-resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and SMZ/TMP. beta-lactamase production and ampicillin resistance among the Hi isolates from children in the area had increased generally during the period 2003 - 2004. The Hi isolates were more susceptible to the second and the third generation cephalosporins, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and azithromycin.</p>

Clinic and pathology of the knee menisci injury with sclerosis denaturalization / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the characteristics of clinic and pathology of the knee menisci injury with sclerosis denaturalization and to discuss the mechanism of the sclerosis and its clinic significance.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the diagnosis and treatment and healing of the knee menisci with the sclerosis denatured injury from 1989 to 2003. The changes of the partial meniscus with sclerosis denaturalization were observed in tissue section.@*RESULTS@#Menisci with sclerosis denaturalization occupied 24.1%, and 77.6% of them subordinated to simple sclerosis denaturalization without tear. Their characteristics were that the manifestations were not except typical knee pain, tenderness at joint line,integrity shape with dull or less lubricity and tiny grand on the super face of menisci under the arthroscopy,and trembles could be touched by a probe. Pathology showed the formation of local sclerosis with the histological changes of fibro-hyperplasia, hyaline degeneration and mucous degeneration in the menisci. No operation obtained curative effects. Symptoms can be eliminated by the excision of the menisci with sclerosis denaturalization.@*CONCLUSION@#The clinic of simple meniscus injury with sclerosis denaturalization are non-typical and arthroscopic check-up is valuable for the diagnosis. The menisci can be removed from the patients suffered from heavy symptoms for a long time.

Clinical observation on isolated electroacupuncture for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study on therapeutic effect of isolated electroacupuncture on peripheral facial paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred cases were randomly divided into an observation group of 60 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The observation group were treated by isolated electroacupuncture and the control group by normal electroacupuncture. Jiache (ST 6), Yangbai (GB 14), Dicang (ST 4), Xiaguan (ST 7), Fengchi (GB 20) and Hegu (LI 4) were selected and same drugs were administrated in the two groups. Then their therapeutic effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-five cases were cured, 11 cases were markedly effective and 4 cases improved with an effective rate of 100.0% in the observation group, and corresponding figures were 26, 2 and 10 cases, and 95.0% in the control group, the observation group being better than the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Isolated electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect on facial paralysis, being better than that of normal electroacupuncture.</p>