Preliminary study on the mechanism of halofuginone inhibiting the activity of HepG2 cells / 药学学报

This study aimed to investigate halofuginone's inhibitory effect and mechanism on the activity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. HepG2 cells were used to detect the effects of halofuginone. After treatment, cell activity, cell migration, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression levels of growth and metabolism-related factors such as citrate synthase (CS), ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and isocitrate deoxygenase (IDH) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Compared with the control group, the activity of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by halofuginone (P < 0.01), the migration rate of HepG2 cells was decreased (P < 0.01), the apoptosis of HepG2 cells was induced (P < 0.01), and the cell cycle was arrested in S phase (P < 0.01). The expression levels of tricarboxylic acid key enzymes CS, IDH3, and OGDH were up-regulated, the expression level of isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes IDH1 and IDH2 were down-regulation. In conclusion, halofuginone can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and promote apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which may be due to the promotion of the aerobic metabolism of cells.

Preparation of mouse monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain of Western equine encephalitis virus E2 (E2ecto) protein / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To prepare mouse monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain of E2 (E2ecto) glycoprotein of Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Methods A prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-WEEV E2ecto was constructed and transformed into BL21 (DE3) competent cells. E2ecto protein was expressed by IPTG induction and presented mainly as inclusion bodies. Then the purified E2ecto protein was prepared by denaturation, renaturation and ultrafiltration. BALB/c mice were immunized with the formulated E2ecto protein using QuickAntibody-Mouse5W as an adjuvant via intramuscular route, boosted once at an interval of 21 days. At 35 days post-immunization, mice with antibody titer above 1×104 were inoculated with E2ecto intraperitoneally, and spleen cells were fused with SP2/0 cells three days later. Hybridoma cells secreting specific monoclonal antibodies were screened by the limited dilution method, and ascites were prepared after intraperitoneal inoculation of hybridoma cells. The subtypes and titers of the antibodies in ascites were assayed by ELISA. The biological activity of the mAb was identified by immunofluorescence assay(IFA) on BHK-21 cells which were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmid pCAGGS-WEEV-CE3E2E1. The specificity of the antibodies were evaluated with E2ecto proteins from EEEV and VEEV. Results Purified WEEV E2ecto protein was successfully expressed and obtained. Four monoclonal antibodies, 3G6G10, 3D7G2, 3B9E8 and 3D5B7, were prepared, and their subtypes were IgG2c(κ), IgM(κ), IgM(κ) and IgG1(κ), respectively. The titers of ascites antibodies 3G6G10, 3B9E8 and 3D7G2 were 105, and 3D5B7 reached 107. None of the four antibody strains cross-reacted with other encephalitis alphavirus such as VEEV and EEEV. Conclusion Four strains of mouse mAb specifically binding WEEV E2ecto are successfully prepared.

Preliminary study of cardiac morphology and function in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot using fetal heart quantification / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the fetal heart shape and function in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by fetal heart quantitative analysis (fetal HQ).Methods:A total of 52 fetuses with TOF diagnosed by fetal echocardiography and 200 normal fetuses matched with their gestational weeks from March 2020 to March 2022 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University were retrospectively evaluated. The basic parameters of fetal cardiac blood vessels in the two groups were measured by fetal HQ technology and conventional M-mode ultrasound technology: aortic valve diameter(AV), pulmonary artery valve diameter(PV), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPA) and Z-score. The overall morphometric measurements including end-diastolic length diameter, transverse diameter, area, and global spherical index (GSI) of the fetal heart in the 4-chamber view(4CV), area and length of the right and left ventricles and their ratios. Measurements of left and right ventricular function included ejection fraction (EF), fraction area change rate (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), and left and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (ED), spherical index (SI), and fractional shortening rate (FS) of 24-segments. The differences of above parameters between TOF group and control group were compared. In addition, the relationships between the absolute value of left and right ventricular GLS of TOF fetus and PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score were analyzed. The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF and left ventricular FAC of TOF fetus were determined by ROC curve, and their corresponding sensitivity and specificity were obtained.Results:Compared with control group, there were significant differences in 4CV end-diastolic length, area, GSI, left ventricular area, left ventricular length, left ventricular EF, left ventricular FAC and left ventricular GLS in TOF group (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in ED between left ventricular 15-24 segments and right ventricular 1-21 segments (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in SI between left ventricular 1-16 segments, 21-24 segments and all segments of right ventricle (all P<0.05). The differences in FS were statistically significant (all P<0.05) when comparing all segments of the left ventricle and 1-2 segments of the right ventricular, and the remaining parameters were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The left ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.338, 0.441 and 0.458, all P<0.05), the right ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.418, 0.368 and 0.338, all P<0.05). The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF, and left ventricular FAC in the diagnosis of fetal TOF were 1.19, 59.05%, and 44.4%, respectively. At this time, the sensitivities of diagnosis of TOF were 0.78, 0.75, and 0.80, respectively. The specificities were 0.88, 0.88 and 0.83, respectively. The areas under ROC curve were 0.89, 0.88 and 0.89, respectively. Conclusions:Fetal HQ technology can provide a simple and reliable quantitative evaluation of fetal heart shape and function, and provide certain theoretical parameters for the study of fetal heart shape and function.

Progress in TN staging of rectal cancer based on multimodal magnetic resonance imaging / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Rectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies in China. Accurate and reasonable assessment of the preoperative staging of rectal cancer can significantly enhance treatment outcomes and improve patient prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the technique of choice for local staging of rectal cancer and has significant advantages in the diagnosis of rectal primary tumors (T) and peri-intestinal lymph nodes (N). In this review paper, the research ideas and progress of traditional radiomics and deep learning methods for preoperative TN staging prediction of rectal cancer were reviewed around multimodal magnetic resonance images, with the aim of providing new ideas for realizing fully automated TN staging algorithms for rectal cancer.

Dual antiplatelet therapy in stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a comparison of ticagrelor and clopidogrel / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in dual antiplatelet therapy for stent-assisted embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms received stent-assisted embolization in the Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively included. According to the preprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy scheme, they were divided into aspirin+clopidogrel group (clopidogrel group) and aspirin+ticagrelor group (ticagrelor group). The incidence of ischemic and bleeding events was compared between the clopidogrel group and the ticagrelor group at 3 months after procedure. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors for postprocedural ischemic and bleeding events. Results:A total of 195 patients were included. Their age was 58.15±10.11 years and 75 were males (38.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of bleeding events (12.8% vs. 5.9%) and ischemic events (14.9% vs. 18.8%) at 3 months after procedure between the ticagrelor group ( n=94) and the clopidogrel group ( n=101). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (odds ratio [ OR] 6.085; 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.589-13.012; P=0.019], hypertension ( OR 4.547, 95% CI 1.589-13.012; P=0.005), aneurysm at the branch vessel ( OR 3.089, 95% CI 1.122-8.504; P=0.029), and the use of flow diverter ( OR 3.111, 95% CI 1.062-9.110; P=0.038) were the independent risk factors for postprocedural ischemic events. Triglycerides might be an independent risk factor for postprocedural bleeding events ( OR 1.435, 95% CI 0.989-2.082; P=0.057), but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions:In dual antiplatelet therapy for stent-assisted embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, ticagrelor and clopidogrel have the same safety and efficacy.

More microinvasive foci in larger tumours of breast ductal carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION@#Microinvasion (Mi) is often thought to be an interim stage between ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of Mi on survival and assess its correlations with clinicopathological parameters, prognosis and molecular markers.@*METHODS@#The number of Mi foci in a cohort of 66 DCIS-Mi cases was assessed from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Disease-free survival, clinicopathological parameters and biomarker expression were correlated with the number of Mi foci.@*RESULTS@#Higher numbers of Mi foci were found in larger tumours (P = 0.031).@*CONCLUSION@#Greater extent of DCIS is associated with multifocal Mi.

Adjustable "paper clip" techniques suturing the dorsal vein complex in radical prostatectomy / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy of the adjustable "paper clip" techniques in the suture of dorsal vein complex (DVC) and retention of urethral function in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP). 【Methods】 A total of 30 cases of prostate cancer treated with RALRP were enrolled, all of which used the adjustable "paper clip" techniques. During operation, the DVC was sewed with barbed suture, and then a reverse suture was made through two sides of the prostatic ligaments. A Hem-o-lock was used to fasten the suture, which would be flexible to control the degree of tightness for the ligature. Perioperative and follow-up data of urinary continence and symptoms were collected and analyzed. 【Results】 All operations were successful. The estimated blood loss was (123.3±80.7) mL, 53.6% patients recovered continence in 1 month, and the continence rate increased to 92.9% and 96.3% at month 3 and 6. 92.9 of patients had no risk of incontinence 3 months after surgery. 【Conclusion】 The adjustable "paper clip" techniques have advantages in reducing blood loss, maintaining clear surgical field, preserving urethral function, and improving urinary continence.

Comparison of yield of microorganisms in cord blood between two automated blood culture systems / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To compare the difference in the detection rate of microorganisms in cord blood between BACTEC FX and BacT/ALERT 3D automated blood culture systems, and to compare the influence of incubation time and different types of culture sample on the detection rate of microorganisms in cord blood. 【Methods】 Cord blood samples prepared from April to August 2020 in Sichuan Cord Blood Bank(n=4 358) were selected, and 20 mL of plasma was used as culture samples for microbial detection. In addition, cord blood samples prepared in the same months of 2021(n=4 057) were selected, and 19 mL of plasma plus 1 mL of final product was used as culture samples for microbial detection. The total sample size was 8 415, of which 4 849 samples(2 458 in plasma group and 2 391 in plasma plus final product group) were assigned to the BACTEC FX system, and 3 566 samples(1 900 in the plasma group and 1 666 in the plasma plus final product group) to the BacT/ALERT 3D system. All samples were cultured for 7 days, and culture data were recorded on day 5 and day 7. Positive results were confirmed by Gram staining. 【Results】 The positive rate detected by the BACTEC FX system was higher than that of the BacT/ALERT 3D system(4.08% vs 2.69%), with statistically significant difference(P0.05) detected by the BacT/ALERT 3D system. With quality control strains, there were significant differences in TTP between these two systems for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium sporogenes, and Bacillus subtilis(P0.05). 【Conclusion】 This study suggests that the selection of BACTEC FX blood culture system with incubation time of not less than 7 days and plasma plus final product as culture samples may improve the detection rate of microorganisms in cord blood.

Efficacy of autologous ozoneized blood transfusion in improving motor function in convalescent stroke patients / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy of autologous ozoneized blood transfusion(AOBT) in improving consciousness and motor function in convalescent stroke patients. 【Methods】 A total of 44 patients who were diagnosed as convalescent cerebral apoplexy and received treatment in Rehabilitation Department of our hospital from August 2016 to September 2021 were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group by blind method. The experimental group (n=22) received general rehabilitation training (such as exercises, occupational therapy, acupuncture and transcranial magnetic stimulation) plus AOBT (200 mL venous phlebotomy at the median elbow), once every 2 to 3 days and 12 occasions as a course of treatment; the control group solely recieved general rehabilitation training. The consciousness (GCS score) and ability of daily living (Barthel index score) score of the two groups before and after treatment were statistically compared, and Ueda motor function grade, Brunnstrom stage and muscle tone grade were observed and evaluated. 【Results】 After the treatment, the experimental group and the control were compared as follows: 1) the GCS score and Barthel score was 14.82±0.39 vs 12.41±2.52, 61.14±12.24 vs 52.05±11.72(P<0.05); 2) The recovery rate of motor function was 95.45% (21/22) vs 63.64% (14/22) (P<0.05); 3) The total recovery rate of muscle tone was 90.91% (20/22) vs 63.64% (14/22) (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 AOBT, with somewhat high safety and effectiveness, can improve the state of consciousness, motor function and muscle tone in convalescent patients with stroke.

Study on platelet components production in 19 provincial blood centers in China before and during the COVID-19 epidemic / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To study the changes of platelet components(PC), apheresis platelets (AP) and pooled platelet concentrates (PPC) production of 19 provincial blood centers before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. 【Methods】 The data related to the collection of AP and the preparation of PPC from 2016 to 2021 of 19 provincial blood centers was collected. The production of PC, AP and PPC during the four years before the epidemic (i.e. 2016-2019) and during the COVID-19 epidemic (i.e. 2020 and 2021) were calculated respectively, and the change of production was analyzed. 【Results】 The total production of PC in 19 blood centers steadily increased from 2016 to 2019, with a decrease of 4.16% in 2020 and an increase of 15.60% in 2021, exceeding the output before the COVID-19 epidemic. In 2020, the production of PC of 42.11% (8/19) blood centers decreased compared with 2019, while 94.74% (18/19) in 2021 increased compared with 2020. The changes of AP output was basically consistent with the trend of PC. The total production of PPC in 2017 and 2018 both doubled compared to the previous year, while decreased by 67.98% in 2019, increased by 30.38% in 2020 and decreased by 27.08% in 2021. 【Conclusion】 The total production of PC kept increasing steadily between 2016 and 2019, but decreased in 2020 under the COVID-19 epidemic, with some blood centers being significantly affected. In 2021, with the strong support from government and various measures by blood centers, the total production of PC increased.

Optical coherence tomography angiography quantitative analysis of the effect of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on blood flow to the optic disc in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals, and to quantitatively analyze the changes in peripapillary vessel density before and after treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS:A randomized controlled trial was used to collect a total of 58 patients(99 eyes)with qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals NPDR who visited our hospital from June 2022 to November 2022, and patients were randomly divided into an observation group(n=29, 51 eyes)and a control group(n=29, 48 eyes). The control group received basic treatment according to the recommendations for DR published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019(blood glucose control, diabetes health education, and regular follow-up for patients with mild NPDR; and add local/grid-like laser photocoagulation if necessary for patients with moderate NPDR), while the observation group received modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in addition to the basic treatment for 1mo. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)efficacy, peripapillary telangiectasia vessel density(ppVD), and changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(pRNFL)thickness were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:The BCVA(LogMAR)of the observation group was 0.20(0.10, 0.30)after 1mo of treatment, which was significantly improved compared with that of the control group of 0.30(0.20, 0.40; P&#x003C;0.05). The TCM efficacy in the observation group after 1mo of treatment was better than that in the control group(P&#x003C;0.05). The ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group showed a significant improvement at 1mo after treatment, and the ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P&#x003C;0.05). The pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, and average peripapillary areas of the observation group increased after 1mo of treatment, and the pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, inferior quadrants, and average peripapillary area of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION:Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve visual acuity and enhance TCM efficacy in patients with NPDR of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals. It may be related to its ability to improve ppVD and reduce damage to the pRNFL.

Exploring occupational hazards and protective strategies in power generation enterprises / 中国职业医学

Currently, power generation in China is dominated by thermal power, wind power, nuclear power, and hydropower enterprises. The power source mainly comes from thermal power generation. The occupational hazards in thermal power station are noise, high temperature, power frequency electric fields, dust, and chemical toxins and so on, with noise and dust (silica and coal dust) being the primary factors. The occupational hazards in wind power station are noise, power frequency electric fields, high temperature, low temperature, and chemical toxins (sulfur hexafluoride, toluene, styrene, etc.), with noise and power frequency electric fields being the major concerns. The occupational radiation hazards in nuclear power station are gamma rays, beta rays, X-rays, neutrons, alpha rays, and radioactive aerosols. There is special attention in radiation protection but not enough protection in non-radioactive hazards such as noise, high temperature, and ammonia. The occupational hazards in hydropower station are noise, power frequency electric fields, vibration, radon and its de-composites, and chemical toxins, with noise and power frequency electric fields being the primary hazards. Different categories of power generation enterprises should identify key hazards and work site for occupational disease prevention and control based on the features of occupational hazards. Improving occupational health management and protection levels are essential measures.

Validation of Pharyngeal Acid Reflux Episodes Using Hypopharyngeal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH

Background/Aims@#Hypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (HMII-pH) technology incorporating 2 trans-upper esophageal sphincter impedance channels has been developed to detect pharyngeal reflux. We used the HMII-pH technique to validate the candidate pharyngeal acid reflux (PAR) episodes based on the dual-pH tracings and determined the interobserver reproducibility. @*Methods@#We conducted a cross-sectional study in tertiary centers in Taiwan. Ninety patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux and 28 healthy volunteers underwent HMII-pH test when off acid suppressants. Candidate PAR episodes were characterized by pharyngeal pH drops of at least 2 units and reaching a nadir pH of 5 within 30 seconds during esophageal acidification. Two experts manually independently identified candidate PAR episodes based on the dual-pH tracings. By reviewing the HMII-pH tracings, HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were subsequently confirmed. The consensus reviews of HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were considered to be the reference standard diagnosis. The interobserver reproducibility was assessed. @*Results@#A total of 105 candidate PAR episodes were identified. Among them 84 (80.0%; 95% CI, 71.0-87.0%) were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes (82 in 16 patients and 2 in 1 healthy subject). Patients tended to have more HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes than healthy controls (median and percentile values [25th, 75th, and 95th percentiles]: 0 [0, 0, 3] vs 0 [0, 0, 0], P = 0.067). The concordance rate in diagnosing HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes between 2 independent observers was 92.2%. @*Conclusion@#Our preliminary data showed that 80.0% (71.0-87.0%) of the proposed candidate PAR episodes were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes, among which the interobserver reproducibility was good.

Effectiveness and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in treatment of aortic regurgitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate effectiveness and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the treatment of aortic regurgitation. Methods     PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP were searched from inception to August 2021. According to the criteria of inclusion and exclusion, two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the quality of the included studies. Then, Stata 16.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Subgroup meta-analysis of valve type used and study type was performed. Results    Twenty-five studies (12 cohort studies and 13 single-arm studies) were included with 4 370 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that an incidence of device success was 87% (95%CI 0.81-0.92). The success rate of the new generation valve subgroup was 93% (95%CI 0.89-0.96), and the early generation valve subgroup was 66% (95%CI 0.56-0.75). In addition, the 30-day all-cause mortality was 7% (95%CI 0.05-0.10), the 30-day cardiac mortality was 4% (95%CI 0.01-0.07), the incidence of pacemaker implantation was 10% (95%CI 0.08-0.13), and the incidence of conversion to thoraco-tomy was 2% (95%CI 0.01-0.04). The incidence of moderate or higher paravalvular aortic regurgitation was 6% (95%CI  0.03-0.09). Conclusion     Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation is safe and yields good results, but some limitations can not be overcome. Therefore, multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our results.

Treatment advice of small molecule antiviral drugs for elderly COVID-19 / 中国药理学通报

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.

Clinical characteristics and drug efficacy evaluation of voltage-gated potassium channel-related genetic epilepsy / 中国药理学通报

Aim To analyze the genotype-phenotype characteristics of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv) associated genetic epilepsy and evaluate the efficacy of anti-seizure medications(ASMs). Methods PubMed database was searched and patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. We divided the patients into “benign”, “encephalopathic” and other phenotypes according to the clinical characteristics. We performed descriptive statistical analysis of patients' mutated genes, clinical phenotype and drug efficacy, and used logistic regression to explore the influencing factors of treatment outcome. Results Data of 474 children were included for analysis. There were significant differences among different phenotypes in mutated genes, source of mutations and so on. In terms of clinical characteristics, there were also significant differences between patients with different phenotypes in age of onset, combined developmental delay and so on. In terms of monotherapy, phenobarbital was the most common treatment choice for children with “benign” phenotype, and sodium channel blockers (SCBs) were the most common treatment choice for children with “encephalopathy” phenotype, and the efficacy of SCBs monotherapy was superior to that of other ASMs. Multivariate Logistic analysis of the children receiving monotherapy showed that whether the children were combined with developmental delay and whether SCBs were used were significant factors influencing the efficacy of drug therapy. Conclusions Patients with the “benign” and “encephalopathic” phenotypes differ in several aspects of genetic variation, clinical characteristics, and drug selection. These results suggest that SCBs may be one of the recommended options for monotherapy.

Chinese yam yield is affected by soil nutrient levels and interactions among N, P, and K fertilizers / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#The current fertilization methods for Chinese yam are uneconomic and unfriend to environment. A rational one is very important to achieve desired balance of high yield of Chinese yam, economic and friend to environment. Here, we studied the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on the yield of 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam in shallow-groove directional cultivation.@*METHODS@#The experiments were conducted in Dehua County, Fujian Province, China using a "3414" optimal design. Overall, three fertilizer factors (N, P, and K) were evaluated at the following four levels: 0, no fertilizer; 1, 0.5-fold the typical rate; 2, typical fertilization rate; and 3, 1.5-fold the typical rate. There were 14 different fertilization treatments.@*RESULTS@#Treatment 6 (N2P2K2) produced the longest (75.6 cm) and thickest tubers (4.9 cm) with the highest tuber fresh weight (1311.9 g) and yield (41 015.9 kg/hm2), whereas, treatment 1 produced the shortest (65.6 cm) and thinnest tubers (3.9 cm) with the lowest fresh weight (953.4 g) and yield (28 532.8 kg/hm2) among the 14 fertilizer combinations. The experimental data could be fitted to single-variable quadratic and binary quadratic models but not to a ternary quadratic polynomial model. Appropriate N, P, and K fertilizer application rates increased Chinese yam yield. However, excessive fertilization lowered the yield. Chinese yam yield was significantly and strongly correlated with the amounts of N, P, and K fertilizer applied.@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the single variable quadratic and binary quadratic models, we propose that the quantities of N, P, and K fertilizer used to grow 1 hm2 'Qinfeng' Chinese yam should be 360-388.3, 90-100.95, and 416.3-675 kg, respectively.

Grape Seed Extract Attenuates Demyelination in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by Inhibiting Inflammatory Response of Immune Cells / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of grape seed extract (GSE) in animal and cellular models and explore its mechanism of action.@*METHODS@#This study determined the inhibitory effect of GSE on macrophage inflammation and Th1 and Th17 polarization in vitro. Based on the in vitro results, the effects and mechanisms of GSE on multiple sclerosis (MS)-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model were further explored. The C57BL/6 mice were intragastrically administered with 50 mg/kg of GSE once a day from the 3rd day to the 27th day after immunization. The activation of microglia, the polarization of Th1 and Th17 and the inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreted by them were detected in vitro and in vivo by flow cytometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively.@*RESULTS@#GSE reduced the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6 in bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (P<0.01), inhibited the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17 and IFN-γ in spleen cells of EAE mice immunized for 9 days (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and reduced the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 mediated by CD3 and CD28 factors (P<0.01). GSE significantly improved the clinical symptoms of EAE mice, and inhibited spinal cord demyelination and inflammatory cell infiltration. Peripherally, GSE downregulated the expression of toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4) and Rho-associated kinase (ROCKII, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the central nervous system, GSE inhibited the infiltration of CD45+CD11b+ and CD45+CD4+ cells, and weakened the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 (P<0.05). Moreover, it reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors (P<0.01), and prevented the activation of microglia (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#GSE had a beneficial effect on the pathogenesis and progression of EAE by inhibiting inflammatory response as a potential drug and strategy for the treatment of MS.

Risk Factors and Prognosis of Cardiovascular Damage in Hypereosinophilia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of cardiovascular damage in hypereosinophilia (HE).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 62 patients with HE in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators, and the influencing factors of survival and prognosis were also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In this study, there were 34 males and 28 females, with a median age of 53.5 (20-79) years, 35 patients without cardiovascular damage, 27 patients with cardiovascular damage, including 22 patients with abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) (81.5%), 18 patients with abnormal echocardiography (ECHO) (66.7%), 9 patients with single ECG abnormality, 5 patients with single ECHO abnormality, and other 13 patients with multiple abnormalities. In cardiovascular damage group, peripheral white blood cell count, absolute value of eosinophils, troponin T (TNT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 levels at initial diagnosis were significantly higher than those in the non-cardiovascular damage group (P <0.01), while hemoglobin, IL-2 and interferon-γ levels were significantly lower (P <0.01). There were no significant differences in age, sex, course of disease, etiological classification, platelet count, serum creatine kinase, serum creatine kinase isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase between the two groups (P >0.05). The 5-year overal survival rate of patients with cardiovascular damage was 88.9%, and that of patients without cardiovascular damage was 100%, the difference was statistically significant (P =0.012). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of patients with cardiovascular damage was 59.3%, and the median time was 37 (21-52) months, while that of patients without cardiovascular damage was 80%, and the median time was 63 (51-74) months (P =0.002). Age (>60 years old), course of disease (>24 months), NT-proBNP (>3 000 pg/ml), TNT (>100 ng/L), elevated IL-4 and IL-5 were associated with EFS shortening in patients with cardiovascular damage, which were independent risk factors for EFS.@*CONCLUSION@#The EFS rate in HE patients without cardiovascular damage is significantly higher than patients with cardiovascular damage. Age, course of disease, NT-proBNP, TNT, IL-4 and IL-5 are independent risk factors affecting EFS of patients with cardiovascular damage.

S1PR1 serves as a viable drug target against pulmonary fibrosis by increasing the integrity of the endothelial barrier of the lung

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with unclear etiology and limited treatment options. The median survival time for IPF patients is approximately 2-3 years and there is no effective intervention to treat IPF other than lung transplantation. As important components of lung tissue, endothelial cells (ECs) are associated with pulmonary diseases. However, the role of endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is incompletely understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in lung ECs. Its expression is markedly reduced in patients with IPF. Herein, we generated an endothelial-conditional S1pr1 knockout mouse model which exhibited inflammation and fibrosis with or without bleomycin (BLM) challenge. Selective activation of S1PR1 with an S1PR1 agonist, IMMH002, exerted a potent therapeutic effect in mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis by protecting the integrity of the endothelial barrier. These results suggest that S1PR1 might be a promising drug target for IPF therapy.