Discrimination of different processing degrees and quantitative study of processing end point of vinegar-processing Cyperi Rhizoma pieces based on electronic sensory technology / 中国中药杂志

In this study, CM-5 spectrophotometer and Heracles NEO ultra-fast gas-phase electronic nose were used to analyze the changes in color and odor of vinegar-processed Cyperi Rhizoma(VPCR) pieces. Various analysis methods such as DFA and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were combined to identify different processing degrees and quantify the end point of processing. The results showed that with the increase in vinegar processing, the brightness parameter L~* of VPCR pieces decreased gradua-lly, while the red-green value a~* and yellow-blue value b~* initially increased and reached their maximum at 8 min of processing, followed by a gradual decrease. A discriminant model based on the color parameters L~*, a~*, and b~* was established(with a discrimination accuracy of 98.5%), which effectively differentiated different degrees of VPCR pieces. Using the electronic nose, 26 odor components were identified from VPCR samples at different degrees of vinegar processing. DFA and PLS-DA models were established for different degrees of VPCR pieces. The results showed that the 8-min processed samples were significantly distinct from other samples. Based on variable importance in projection(VIP) value greater than 1, 10 odor components, including 3-methylfuran, 2-methylbuty-raldehyde, 2-methylpropionic acid, furfural, and α-pinene, were selected as odor markers for differentiating the degrees of vinegar processing in VPCR. By combining the changes in color and the characteristic odor components, the optimal processing time for VPCR was determined to be 8 min. This study provided a scientific basis for the standardization of vinegar processing techniques for VPCR and the improvement of its quality standards and also offered new methods and ideas for the rapid identification and quality control of the end point of processing for other traditional Chinese medicine.

Mining Novel Anti-Nocardia Drug Targets Based on Pan-genomics and Subtractive Proteomics / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveNocardia is an apathogen that causes opportunistic infections in humans and has a global distribution. In recent years， resistance of Nocardia to commonly used drugs have been observed， highlighting the urgent need for the identification of new drug targets and the development of novel antimicrobial agents against Nocardia. MethodsThirty-one complete genome sequences of Nocardia strains were retrieved from the GenBank database. Pan-genomic analysis was performed using BPGA， and drug target candidates were screened using subtractive proteomics. Homology modeling was employed to predict the 3D structures of target proteins， and potential drugs targeting these proteins were predicted using DrugBank. Molecular docking techniques were utilized to validate the binding activity between the drugs and target proteins. ResultsThe pan-genomic analysis of the 31 Nocardia strains revealed 1 421 core proteins. Fifteen candidate drug target proteins were identified through subtractive proteomics analysis. Among them， the physicochemical properties of the OG1493 protein （such as amino acid count， molecular weight， isoelectric point， grand average of hydropathicity， fat index，and instability index Ⅱ） were found to be most suitable for a drug target protein. Using the DrugBank database， seven compounds， namely Adenosine-5'-Rp-Alpha-Thio-Triphosphate， alpha，beta-Methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate， Phosphoaminophosphonic Acid-Adenylate Ester ，Radicicol，2-Hydroxyestradiol， p-Coumaric acid， and Ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid were identified as potential compounds capable of exerting anti-Nocardia effects by targeting this protein. Molecular docking results indicated a strong binding affinity between the target protein and these compounds. The experimental result showed that that Radicicol could be a potential antibacterial drug targeting this particular protein. ConclusionPan-genomic analysis and subtractive proteomics are valuable approaches for mining novel anti-Nocardia drug targets.

Research progress of fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson disease / 中国实用护理杂志

Fall efficacy is an important index reflecting the confidence and belief degree of individuals who do not fall in daily activities. Parkinson disease is a common neurodegenerative disease. Due to the deterioration of balance and other functions, the overall fall efficacy level is generally poor, which not only restricts the daily social interaction, but also further degrades the body function, and ultimately leads to the patients′ falling more easily, increased disability and decreased overall quality of life. This paper reviewed the concept, measurement tools, research status, influencing factors and intervention of fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson disease, and pointed out the existing problems and future directions, aiming to provide reference for further research on fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson disease in China.

Therapeutic Mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang on Rheumatoid Arthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo reveal the mechanism of action of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by pharmacological research based on its clinical application. MethodThe collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） rat model was established by injecting bovine type Ⅱ collagen and Freund's adjuvant at the tail， and was treated with different concentrations of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang. The rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， methotrexate （0.9 mg·kg-1） group， and Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang low- and high-dose （5.13， 20.52 g·kg-1·d-1） groups， with continuous intragastric administration for 4 weeks. The degree of joint swelling， weight， degree of foot swelling and arthritis index score were determined and the pathological changes of ankle joints were detected by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining to observe the therapeutic effect of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang on rheumatoid arthritis. In addition， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and Western blot were used to measure the expression of interleukin 1β （IL-1β）， interleukin 6 （IL-6）， interleukin 10 （IL-10） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum and the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） pathway related proteins in synovial tissue， respectively to clarify the molecular mechanism of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. ResultCompared with the conditions in blank group， the body weight and IL-10 level were decreased （P<0.01）， and the degree of foot swelling and arthritis index score， the levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α， and the expression of NF-κB pathway related proteins were increased （P<0.01，） in the model group， with impaired morphology and function of the ankle joint. Additionally， compared with the model group， Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang low- and high-dose groups had increased body weight of rats and IL-10 level （P<0.01）， and reduced degree of foot swelling and arthritis index score （P<0.05， P<0.01）， levels of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.01） and expression of NF-κB pathway related proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with improved function and morphology of the ankle joint. ConclusionHuangqi Guizhi Wuwutang can significantly alleviate joint inflammatory injury by down-regulating NF-κB pathway and reducing the inflammatory response in CIA rats.

Protective Mechanism of Banxia Houputang on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Neuroinflammatory Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the inhibitory effect of Banxia Houputang （BHT） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced inflammation of microglia （BV2） cells and the neuroprotective effect on human neuroblastoma （SH-SY5Y） cells. MethodAfter the neuroinflammatory model was constructed by LPS inducing BV2 cells， model group （LPS 100 µg·L-1）， administration groups （LPS+1 g·L-1 BHT， LPS+2 g·L-1 BHT， LPS+5 g·L-1 BHT， LPS+10 g·L-1 BHT）， and blank group were given DEME medium at the same volume. In addition， neuronal apoptosis model was established by co-culture of LPS-induced BV2 cell inflammation medium and SH-SY5Y cells （LPS-DMEM） and was administrated according to the above grouping. Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. The content of nitric oxide （NO） and that of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were determined by Griess aasay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， respectively. The mRNA levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-rime PCR）. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， Janus kinase 2 （JAK2） and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB p65）， protein kinase B （Akt）， inhibitor of nuclear factor κB α （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）. ResultCompared with blank group， LPS increased the NO release， levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and iNOS and protein expression of Akt， NF-κB p65， IκBα， JAK2 and STAT3， decreased the content of IL-4 and IL-10 in BV2 cells， and induced apoptosis of co-cultured SH-SY5Y cells （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， BHT reduced the content of NO， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01） and protein expression of Akt， NF-κB p65， IκBα， JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.01）， elevated the content of IL-4 and IL-10 （P<0.01）， and inhibited the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells induced by LPS-DMEM （P<0.01）. ConclusionThis experiment reveals that BHT inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in BV2 cells by regulating Akt/NF-κB/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and showed neuroprotective effects on SH-SY5Y cells.

Effective substance and mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract in treatment of insomnia based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to study the effective substance and mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract in the treatment of insomnia based on serum metabolomics and network pharmacology. The rat insomnia model induced by p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA) was established. After oral administration of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract, the general morphological observation, pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep test, and histopathological evaluation were carried out. The potential biomarkers of the extract in the treatment of insomnia were screened by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS) combined with multivariate analysis, and the related metabolic pathways were further analyzed. The "component-target-pathway" network was constructed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS) combined with network pharmacology to explore the effective substances and mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in the treatment of insomnia. The results of pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep test and histopathological evaluation(hematoxylin and eosin staining) showed that Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract had good theraputic effect on insomnia. A total of 21 endogenous biomarkers of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract in the treatment of insomnia were screened out by serum metabolomics, and the metabolic pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism were obtained. A total of 34 chemical constituents were identified by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS, including 24 flavonoids, 2 triterpenoid saponins, 4 alkaloids, 2 triterpenoid acids, and 2 fatty acids. The network pharmacological analysis showed that Ziziphi Spinosae Semen mainly acted on target proteins such as dopamine D2 receptor(DRD2), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1 A(HTR1 A), and alpha-2 A adrenergic receptor(ADRA2 A) in the treatment of insomnia. It was closely related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, serotonergic synapse, and calcium signaling pathway. Magnoflorine, N-nornuciferine, caaverine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, coclaurine, betulinic acid, and ceanothic acid in Ziziphi Spinosae Semen may be potential effective compounds in the treatment of insomnia. This study revealed that Ziziphi Spinosae Semen extract treated insomnia through multiple metabolic pathways and the overall correction of metabolic disorder profile in a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel manner. Briefly, this study lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen in treating insomnia and provides support for the development of innovative Chinese drugs for the treatment of insomnia.

Efficacy-related substances of blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicinals derived from Curcuma plants: a review / 中国中药杂志

Derived from Curcuma plants, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Curcumae Rhizoma, Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum, and Curcumae Radix are common blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicinals in clinical practice, which are mainly used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, chest impediment and heart pain, and rheumatic arthralgia caused by blood stasis block. According to modern research, the typical components in medicinals derived from Curcuma plants, like curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, curdione, germacrone, curcumol, and β-elemene, have the activities of hemorheology improvement, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-thrombosis, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and anti-fibrosis, thereby activating blood and resolving stasis. However, due to the difference in origin, medicinal part, processing, and other aspects, the efficacy and clinical application are different. The efficacy-related substances behind the difference have not yet been systematically studied. Thus, focusing on the efficacy-related substances, this study reviewed the background, efficacy and clinical application, efficacy-related substances, and "prediction-identification-verification" research method of blood-activating and stasis-resolving medicinals derived from Curcuma plants, which is expected to lay a theoretical basis for the future research on the "similarities and differences" of such medicinals based on integrated evidence chain and to guide the scientific and rational application of them in clinical practice.

Role of spinal P2Y1R in development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with incisional pain: relationship with function of NR1 and NR2B in spinal cord / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal P2Y1R in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with incisional pain (IP) and the relationship with the function of NR1 and NR2B in spinal cord.Methods:Forty-eight healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 250-280 g, in which intrathecal catheters were successfully placed, were divided into 6 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), P2Y1R antagonist MRS2179 group (group M), remifentanil group (group R), remifentanil plus MRS2179 group (group R+ M), IP plus remifentanil group (group I+ R) and IP plus remifentanil plus MRS2179 group (group I+ R+ M). In group C, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1.In group M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1.In group R, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1.In group R+ M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1 via the tail vein.In group I+ R, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1, and IP was established at 10 min after onset of remifentanil infusion.In group I+ R+ M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, 10 min later remifentanil was infused via the tail vein for 60 min at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1, and IP was established at 10 min after onset of remifentanil infusion.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT), thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL), and the number of paw lifts on the cold plate were measured at 24 h before infusion of remifentanil or normal saline and at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the end of infusion.The animals were sacrificed after the last measurement of the pain threshold, L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of P2Y1R, phosphorylated NR1 (p-NR1), NR1, phosphorylated NR2B (p-NR2B) and NR2B (by Western blot), for calculation of the ratios of p-NR1/NR1 and p-NR2B/NR2B, and for detection of expression of P2Y1R mRNA, NR1 mRNA and NR2B mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group C, MWT was significantly decreased, TWL was shortened, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was increased, the expression of P2Y1R protein and mRNA, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR1, NR2B protein and mRNA and p-NR2B was up-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were increased in group R ( P<0.01). Compared with group R, MWT was significantly increased, TWL was prolonged, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was decreased, the expression of P2Y1R, p-NR1, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR2B, NR2B protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were decreased in group R+ M ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group I+ R, MWT was significantly increased, TWL was prolonged, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was decreased, the expression of P2Y1R, p-NR1, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR2B, NR2B protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were decreased in group I+ R+ M ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Spinal P2Y1R can enhance the function of NR1 and NR2B, which may be involved in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with IP.

Effect of hydrogen on lung injury induced by extremity ischemia-reperfusion in elderly patients / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on lung injury induced by extremity ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in elderly patients.Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ elderly patients, aged 65-75 yr, with height 155-180 cm, weighing 50-75 kg, undergoing lower limb surgery under spinal anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: hydrogen inhalation group (H group) and control group (C group). In H group, 67% hydrogen-33% oxygen was inhaled through the nasal catheter until the end of surgery starting from the completion of anesthesia.In group C, 33% oxygen was inhaled through the nasal catheter until the end of surgery after the completion of anesthesia.Blood samples from the radial artery were collected before anesthesia and at 60 min after tourniquet deflation.Blood gas analysis was performed to determine and record arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2) and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO 2), and alveolar-arterial partial pressure of oxygen difference (A-aDO 2), oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) were calculated.Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay.ICU stay time and incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, PaO 2 and OI were significantly increased, RI and A-aDO 2 were decreased, SP-D and IL-6 concentrations in serum were decreased at 60 min after tourniquet deflation, and ICU stay time was shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery in group H ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Hydrogen can reduce the lung injury induced by extremity I/R, and the mechanism may be related to the reduction of inflammatory response in elderly patients.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with pigment epithelium-derived factor gene modification mediated by lentivirus / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To investigate the protein expression changes of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) modified with pigment epithelium-derived factor ( PEDF) gene mediated by lentivirus. Methods:The hUCMSCs were divided into the control group and experimental group.Cells in the control group were normal hUCMSCs and the cells in experimental group were hUCMSCs with PEDF modification.The proteins from the two groups were collected and processed by FASP method.Samples were fractionated by liquid chromatography and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry, and SWATH mode was applied.Differential protein analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Reactome pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Results:A total of 5 361 quantified proteins were detected in this experiment, of which 432 proteins were differentially expressed (fold change>1.5, P<0.05). There were 219 of the 432 proteins up-regulated, including serpin family F member 1 (SERPINF1) (PEDF), DEAD-box helicase 59 (DDX59) and thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), etc., whereas 213 proteins were down-regulated, including collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 (COL1A1), COL18A1, etc.GO analysis indicated that the differential proteins were mainly involved in fibrinolysis, extracellular structure organization, regulation of transporter activity, biosynthetic process of secondary alcohol and cholesterol, coenzyme metabolic process and regulation of peptidase activity, etc.Reactome pathway analysis showed that the differential proteins were mostly involved in regulation of insulin like growth factor (IGF) transport and uptake by IGF binding protein, post-translational protein phosphorylation, extracellular matrix organization, metabolism of steroids. Conclusions:After gene modification with PEDF mediated by lentivirus, the expression of many proteins in hUCMSCs were changed. PEDF gene modification can alter the structure of extracellular matrix and regulate the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation, self-renewal and multipotency.

Historical evolution and research advance in processing adjuvant--vinegar / 中国中药杂志

Processing of Chinese medicinals with vinegar is one of the characteristic processing techniques. Vinegar is vital for the quality of vinegar-processed decoction pieces. However, there have been no specified standards for adjuvants. Through consulting relevant literature and monographs, we comprehensively reviewed the historical evolution of processing with vinegar in records, selection and application of vinegar, and summarized the relevant standards and current status of vinegar as an adjuvant in China. According to the records in literature, vinegar is effective in activating blood, moving qi, dispersing blood stasis, removing toxin, promoting appetite, and nourishing the liver. Traditionally, rice vinegar is chosen in processing. Nowadays, the vinegar made from rice under solid-state fermentation should be chosen. At present, only food standards can be taken for reference for vinegar in the processing. Integrative and specific inspection indicators are lacking, so the standards for adjuvants need to be improved urgently. In addition, the inadequacy in quality control and management is also a major problem to be solved. Through literature research, we reviewed the historical evolution and research advance in vinegar to provide a reference for the standardization and further research of vinegar used in the Chinese medicinal processing.

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy: predictive factors of adverse surgical outcomes in Asian patients

Background@#Direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) provides reliable outcomes; however, the use of ADM is associated with a higher risk of complications. We analyzed our experiences of post-NSM DTI without ADM and identified the predictive factors of adverse surgical outcomes. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent NSM and immediate DTI or two-stage tissue expander (TE) breast reconstruction from 2009 to 2020 were enrolled. Predictors of adverse endpoints were analyzed. @*Results@#There were 100 DTI and 29 TE reconstructions. The TE group had a higher rate of postmastectomy radiotherapy (31% vs. 11%; P=0.009), larger specimens (317.37±176.42 g vs. 272.08±126.33 g; P=0.047), larger implants (360.84±85.19 g vs. 298.83±81.13 g; P=0.004) and a higher implant/TE exposure ratio (10.3% vs. 1%; P=0.035). In DTI reconstruction, age over 50 years (odds ratio [OR], 5.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50–19.74; P=0.010) and a larger mastectomy weight (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08–2.51; P=0.021) were associated with a higher risk of acute complications. Intraoperative radiotherapy for the nipple-areolar complex increased the risk of acute complications (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 1.07–15.27; P=0.039) and the likelihood of revision surgery (OR, 5.57; 95% CI, 1.25–24.93; P=0.025). @*Conclusions@#Immediate DTI breast reconstruction following NSM is feasible in Asian patients with smaller breasts.

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy: predictive factors of adverse surgical outcomes in Asian patients

Background@#Direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) provides reliable outcomes; however, the use of ADM is associated with a higher risk of complications. We analyzed our experiences of post-NSM DTI without ADM and identified the predictive factors of adverse surgical outcomes. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent NSM and immediate DTI or two-stage tissue expander (TE) breast reconstruction from 2009 to 2020 were enrolled. Predictors of adverse endpoints were analyzed. @*Results@#There were 100 DTI and 29 TE reconstructions. The TE group had a higher rate of postmastectomy radiotherapy (31% vs. 11%; P=0.009), larger specimens (317.37±176.42 g vs. 272.08±126.33 g; P=0.047), larger implants (360.84±85.19 g vs. 298.83±81.13 g; P=0.004) and a higher implant/TE exposure ratio (10.3% vs. 1%; P=0.035). In DTI reconstruction, age over 50 years (odds ratio [OR], 5.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50–19.74; P=0.010) and a larger mastectomy weight (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08–2.51; P=0.021) were associated with a higher risk of acute complications. Intraoperative radiotherapy for the nipple-areolar complex increased the risk of acute complications (OR, 4.05; 95% CI, 1.07–15.27; P=0.039) and the likelihood of revision surgery (OR, 5.57; 95% CI, 1.25–24.93; P=0.025). @*Conclusions@#Immediate DTI breast reconstruction following NSM is feasible in Asian patients with smaller breasts.

Study on mechanism of Phytolaccae Radix and its split components based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to explore the mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix by means of network pharmaco-logy. Based on the theoretical hypothesis of the nature and taste of traditional Chinese medicine, the chemical components of the separated components of Phytolaccae Radix were selected by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicines IntegratedDatabase(TCMID) databases in combination with related literatures. Relevant target analysis was carried out based on PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Targets corresponding to disease were excavated based on GeneCards for each split component, corresponding potential targets were obtained through mapping the target set of target compounds to disease targets. GO biological process analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the mapped targets with the help of DAVID database. Based on Cytoscape software and the corresponding efficacy, the network diagram of "medicinal material-split components-compound-target-pathway" was constructed to explore the mechanism of different efficacy of the separated components of Cytoscape. And the target purgation and diuretic mapping was used as the target of the traditional efficacy of smoothening secretion for the first time. The study explored esculentoside component, fatty oil component and phenolic acid component, a total of 30 target compounds and 301 corresponding targets, involving 44 potential targets for "anti-inflammatory", 50 potential targets for "immunoregulation", 52 potential targets for "smoothening secretion", 28 potential targets for "antibacterial activity", 28 potential targets for "antiviral effect", and 29 potential targets for "antitumor effect". Topological analysis revealed 14 key gene targets such as MAPK8, MAPK14, EGFR and PTGS2. A total of 684 GO entries and 235 KEGG pathways were obtained through bioinformatics enrichment analysis, mainly involving TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappaB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. This study revealed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel action mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix, which provided certain basis for the next step to clarify the split components of Phytolaccae Radix through the method of system biology, and injected new content and significance into the study of properties and flavors theory.

Effect of hydrogen on occurrence of pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on the occurrence of pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.Methods:One hundred and ten patients of both sexes, aged 45-75 yr, with body mass index of 18-23 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, scheduled for elective thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer, were divided into 2 groups ( n=55 each) using the random number table method: hydrogen group (group H) and control group (group C). Patients inhaled 66.7% hydrogen for 60 min before anesthesia in group H, while 33% oxygen was inhaled for 60 min in group C. Blood samples were collected from the radial artery at 5 min before one-lung ventilation (T 0) and 1 h of one-lung ventilation (T 1) for blood gas analysis and for determination of peak airway pressure, airway plateau pressure, driving pressure and dynamic lung compliance.Oxygenation index was calculated.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on the ventilated side was collected at T 0 and T 1 for measurment of interleukin-6 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the oxygenation index and dynamic lung compliance were significantly increased, and the peak airway pressure, airway plateau pressure, driving pressure, interleukin-6 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery were decreased in group H ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hydrogen can decrease the occurrence of pulmonary complications, and the mechanism is related to reducing lung inflammatory responses and improving lung compliance in the patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.

Clinical application and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor characterized by a rapid proliferation rate, less survivability, high mortality, and metastatic potential. This review focuses on updated research about the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an adjuvant therapy to lung cancer treatment and the mechanisms of TCM effect on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. We summarized the recent 5 years of different research progress on clinical applications and antitumor mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer. As a potent adjuvant therapy, TCM could enhance conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and epidermal growth factor receptors [EGFRs] tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) effects as well as provide synergistic effects, enhance chemotherapy drugs chemosensitivity, reverse drug resistance, reduce adverse reactions and toxicity, relieve patients' pain and improve quality of life (QOL). After treating with TCM, lung cancer cells will induce apoptosis and/or autophagy, suppress metastasis, impact immune reaction, and therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, TCM is a promisingly potent adjuvant therapy in the treatment of lung cancer and its multiple mechanisms are worthy of an in-depth study.

Pregnancy Outcomes in COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study in Singapore

INTRODUCTION@#Pregnant women are reported to be at increased risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to underlying immunosuppression during pregnancy. However, the clinical course of COVID-19 in pregnancy and risk of vertical and horizontal transmission remain relatively unknown. We aim to describe and evaluate outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 in Singapore.@*METHODS@#Prospective observational study of 16 pregnant patients admitted for COVID-19 to 4 tertiary hospitals in Singapore. Outcomes included severe disease, pregnancy loss, and vertical and horizontal transmission.@*RESULTS@#Of the 16 patients, 37.5%, 43.8% and 18.7% were infected in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. Two gravidas aged ≥35 years (12.5%) developed severe pneumonia; one patient (body mass index 32.9kg/m2) required transfer to intensive care. The median duration of acute infection was 19 days; one patient remained reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive >11 weeks from diagnosis. There were no maternal mortalities. Five pregnancies produced term live-births while 2 spontaneous miscarriages occurred at 11 and 23 weeks. RT-PCR of breast milk and maternal and neonatal samples taken at birth were negative; placenta and cord histology showed non-specific inflammation; and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immunoglobulins were elevated in paired maternal and umbilical cord blood (n=5).@*CONCLUSION@#The majority of COVID-19 infected pregnant women had mild disease and only 2 women with risk factors (obesity, older age) had severe infection; this represents a slightly higher incidence than observed in age-matched non-pregnant women. Among the women who delivered, there was no definitive evidence of mother-to-child transmission via breast milk or placenta.

Treatment of breast cancer with adriamycin hydrochloride-loaded liquid fluorocarbon liposomes / 中国医学影像技术

Objective: To prepare the liposomes carrying doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and liquid fluorocarbon (PFH) in liquid form based liposomes (Lip-PFH-DOX), and to investigate the Lip-PFH-DOX nanoparticle enhanced ultrasound imaging and its therapeutic effect on human breast cancer MAD-MB-231 cells. Methods: Lip-PFH-DOX nanoparticles were prepared by using biocompatible phospholipid mixture as film-forming material and lipophilic DOX as additive. The morphology, particle size, potential and encapsulation efficiency of Lip-PFH-DOX nanoparticles were tested. Low intensity focused ultrasound was used to induce phase transition and rupture of nanoparticles. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect drug release at different time points. The cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells was detected and the apoptosis was observed. A nude mouse breast cancer mda-mb-231 model was established, and an appropriate amount of nanoparticles were injected into the tail vein to observe the enhanced ultrasound at the tumor site. Results: The liposomes loaded with DOX and PFH were successfully prepared. The particle size was (340.81±68.54)nm, the potential was (-17.72±7.66)mV, and the drug encapsulation rate was (86.80±2.55)%. Under transmission electron microscopy, the drug was successfully encapsulated in the liposomes. Under light microscopy, the liposomes were uniform in size, and the phase transition was occured. In vitro, the release rate of DOX of Lip-PFH-DOX reached 40.05±3.22 at 48 h. After 48 h, when the concentration was 100 μg/ml of Lip-PFH-DOX, the survival rate decreased to 45.00%. Lip-PFH-DOX and the nanoparticles can significantly enhance ultrasound development in vivo after low intensity ultrasound irradiation. Conclusion: The nanoparticles of DOX and PFH was successfully prepared, which can achieve ultrasound development in vivo and in vitro, and DOX can kill MAD-MB-231 cells.

High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Bone Strength and Structure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients / 中国医学科学院学报

To evaluate the bone strength and structure of patients with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)by the high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography(HR-pQCT)and to explore the relationship between OSA and osteoporosis. Male patients who visited the Sleep Respiratory Center of our hospital from August 2017 to January 2019 were consecutively recruited.Clinical data including the results of Epworth sleep scale(ESS)scoring and overnight polysomnography were collected.HR-pQCT was used to compare the differences in bone geometry,density,and microstructure between OSA patients and non-OSA people;also,the radius and tibia on the non-dominant side were measured to explore the relationship between OSA and osteoporosis. A total of 83 subjects were enrolled in the study.The number of patients in the mild,moderate,and severe OSA groups and non-OSA group were 21,18,34,and 10,respectively.There was no significant difference in age,blood pressure,ESS score,sleep stage,and sleep efficiency among these four groups(>0.05).Body mass index(BMI)and neck circumference were significantly different among these groups(=4.234,=0.008;=3.100,=0.031).There was no significant difference in the radius indicators(>0.05).For tibia,there were significant differences among the four groups in the cortical area(Ct.Ar)(=3.937,=0.011).There were also significant differences in the bone microstructural indicators including trabecular thickness(Tb.Th)and cortical thickness(Ct.Th)(=6.247,=0.001;=3.746,=0.014),which were significantly lower in the three OSA groups than in the control group.Pairwise comparisons showed that the Ct.Ar in the severe OSA group was significantly higher than that in the mild OSA group(=0.019)and Tb.Th in the control group was significantly higher than those in the mild and moderate OSA groups(=0.006,=0.001).Correlation analysis showed that,within a certain range,total volumetric bone mineral density(Tt.vBMD)and Tb.Th of radius and tibia were negatively correlated with age(=-0.312,=0.004;=-0.328,=0.002;=-0.265,=0.015;=-0.280,=0.010)and positively correlated with BMI(=0.240,=0.029;=0.369,=0.004;=0.299,=0.006;=0.416,=0.010).Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that Tb.Th of radius and tibia were mostly correlated with BMI(=0.262,=0.008,=0.243,=6.270,=0.000;=0.494,=0.000,=0.186,=7.243,=0.000)and age(=-0.216,=0.030,=0.243,=6.270,=0.000;=-0.306,=0.003,=0.186,=7.243,=0.000).Tt.vBMD of radius had a certain correlation with sleep efficiency and with the decreasing nocturnal mean oxygen saturation caused by OSA(=0.312,=0.002, =-0.249,=0.012,=0.327,=7.482,=0.000). In non-elderly male populations,OSA mainly causes a decrease in Tb.Th and Ct.Th of the tibia.The changes in bone strength and structure are mainly related with age and body size and also have certain correlations with sleep efficiency and with the decreasing nocturnal mean oxygen saturation caused by OSA.

Effect of emodin on gut microbiota of rats with acute kidney failure / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of emodin on gut microbiota in acute kidney injury rats( AKI). Rats were randomly divided into several groups: normal group,model group,low-dose of emodin group( 10 mg·kg~(-1)),medium-dose of emodin group( 25 mg·kg~(-1)),high-dose of emodin group( 50 mg·kg~(-1)) and control group( 5 mg·kg~(-1) of benazepril hydrochloride).The AKI model rats were established by intraperitoneal injection of small dose of gentamicin sulfate for 7 days. Two hours after intraperitoneal injection,except for the normal group and the model group,the other groups were given corresponding doses of drugs for 15 days. The serum levels of serum creatinine( SCr),urea nitrogen( BUN),plasma endotoxin level,24 h urinary protein and D-lactate in the plasma were determined by sarcosine oxidase,urease method,tal reagent method,bromo cresol chloroform method and double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay,respectively. Gut microbial communities were assayed by fluorescent quantitative PCR methods. HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of the kidneys. Compared with the normal group,there were significant differences in body weight,urinary protein( UTP),bacterial endotoxin,urea nitrogen,creatinine,D-lactate in the plasma and four bacterial contents in the model group( P<0. 05). The urinary protein,urea nitrogen,D-lactate,creatinine and plasma bacterial endotoxin in control group and each emodin group were lower than those in model group,especially for high-dose of emodin( P<0. 01). Moreover,pathology resolution in high-dose emodin was better than other groups. Except for low-dose of emodin group,qRT-PCR data suggested that the amounts of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus in medication administration group were increased,while the amounts of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium were reduced compared with model group( P<0. 05),especially for high-dose of emodin( P<0. 01). There is a clear imbalance of gut microbiota in rats with AKI. Emodin could regulate the imbalance of gut microbiota,which might be one of the mechanisms of its effects on AKI rats.