Establishment and validation of a risk prediction model for portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis by nomogram / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To explore the independent risk factors of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis, and to establish and evaluate a risk prediction model for PVT in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 295 cases of cirrhosis hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2019 to October 2021 were divided into a modeling set ( n=207) and an internal validation set ( n=88) by the random number table. In addition, patients with cirrhosis hospitalized in Yichang Central People's Hospital, Wuhan Puren Hospital, No.2 People's Hospital of Fuyang City and People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University during the same period were collected as an external validation set ( n=92). The modeling set was divided into PVT group ( n=56) and non-PVT group ( n=151). Univariate analysis was used to preliminarily screen the related indicators of PVT, and then multivariate logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise regression was used to determine independent risk factors for PVT. A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the independent risk factors obtained. The internal and external validation set were used to verify the predictive ability of the model. Distinction degree was used to evaluate the ability of the model to distinguish patients with or without PVT. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the consistency between predicted risk and the actual risk of the model. Results:Univariate analysis showed that smoking, history of splenectomy, trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), gastrointestinal bleeding and endoscopic variceal treatment, and levels of hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and D-dimer were significantly different between the PVT group and the non-PVT group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that smoking ( P=0.020, OR=31.21, 95% CI: 1.71-569.40), levels of D-dimer ( P=0.003, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.20) and hemoglobin ( P=0.039, OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00), history of TIPS ( P=0.011, OR=18.04, 95% CI: 1.92-169.90) and endoscopic variceal treatment ( P=0.001, OR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.59-6.50) were independent risk factors for PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the internal validation set was 0.802 (95% CI: 0.709-0.895) ( P<0.001), and the AUC for the external validation set was 0.811 (95% CI: 0.722-0.900) ( P<0.001). Both AUC were larger than 0.75. The calibration curve of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the P values of both internal validation set ( χ2=3.602, P=0.891) and the external validation set ( χ2=11.025, P=0.200) were larger than 0.05. Conclusion:Smoking, history of TIPS or endoscopic variceal treatment, levels of D-dimer and hemoglobin are independent risk factors for PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis. The prediction nomogram model based on the above factors has strong predictive ability.

Role of TRPV4 in dexmedetomidine-induced improvement in cognitive function in mice with mechanical ventilator-caused brain injury / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of transient receptor potential vanillic acid 4 (TRPV4) in dexmedetomidine-induced improvement in cognitive function in mice with mechanical ventilator-caused brain injury.Methods:Ninety clean-grade healthy male C57BL6 mice, weighing 20-25 g, aged 8-12 weeks, were divided into 5 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), mechanical ventilation group (group V), HC-067047 group (group H), dexmedetomidine group (group D), and dexmedetomidine+ GSK1016790A group (group DG). In group C, the animals breathed air spontaneously for 6 h without mechanical ventilation. In group V, the animals were mechanically ventilated for 6 h. In group H, TRPV4 blocker HC-067047 10 mmol was injected into the cerebral ventricle at 3 and 6 h of mechanical ventilation. In D and DG groups, dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before mechanical ventilation. In group DG, TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A 5 μmol was injected into the cerebral ventricle at 60 min before mechanical ventilation. Morris water maze test was performed on 6 mice in each group at 1 day before mechanical ventilation and 3 and 7 days after mechanical ventilation. Six mice in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed at 1 day after mechanical ventilation, and the brain tissue was taken for determination of the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 area by TUNEL method, and the apoptosis index was calculated. Six mice in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed at 1 day after mechanical ventilation, and the hippocampal tissues were taken for determination of the expression of TRPV4, serine-threonine protein kinase (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged and the number of crossing the original platform was reduced at 3 and 7 days after mechanical ventilation, the expression of TRPV4 and caspase-3 was up-regulated, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased, and the apoptosis index of neurons was increased in group V and group DG ( P<0.05). Compared with group V, the escape latency was significantly shortened and the number of crossing the original platform was increased at 3 and 7 days after mechanical ventilation, the expression of TRPV4 and caspase-3 was down-regulated, the expression of p-Akt was up-regulated, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was increased, and the apoptosis index of neurons was decreased in group D and group H ( P<0.05). Compared with group D, the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 3 and 7 days after mechanical ventilation, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of TRPV4 and caspase-3 was up-regulated, the expression of p-Akt was down-regulated, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased, and the apoptosis index of neurons was increased in group DG ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TRPV 4 is involved in dexmedetomidine-induced improvement in cognitive function, which is related to up-regulation of p-Akt expression and inhibition of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons in mice with mechanical ventilation-caused brain injury.

Sex Estimation of Medial Aspect of the Ischiopubic Ramus in Adults Based on Deep Learning / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the reliability and accuracy of deep learning technology in automatic sex estimation using the 3D reconstructed images of the computed tomography (CT) from the Chinese Han population.@*METHODS@#The pelvic CT images of 700 individuals (350 males and 350 females) of the Chinese Han population aged 20 to 85 years were collected and reconstructed into 3D virtual skeletal models. The feature region images of the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus (MIPR) were intercepted. The Inception v4 was adopted as the image recognition model, and two methods of initial learning and transfer learning were used for training. Eighty percent of the individuals' images were randomly selected as the training and validation dataset, and the remaining were used as the test dataset. The left and right sides of the MIPR images were trained separately and combinedly. Subsequently, the models' performance was evaluated by overall accuracy, female accuracy, male accuracy, etc.@*RESULTS@#When both sides of the MIPR images were trained separately with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the right model was 95.7%, the female accuracy and male accuracy were both 95.7%; the overall accuracy of the left model was 92.1%, the female accuracy was 88.6% and the male accuracy was 95.7%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the model was 94.6%, the female accuracy was 92.1% and the male accuracy was 97.1%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with transfer learning, the model achieved an overall accuracy of 95.7%, and the female and male accuracies were both 95.7%.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The use of deep learning model of Inception v4 and transfer learning algorithm to construct a sex estimation model for pelvic MIPR images of Chinese Han population has high accuracy and well generalizability in human remains, which can effectively estimate the sex in adults.

Exploration of the theory of Renying Cunkou pulse method recorded in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon / 中国针灸

Renying Cunkou pulse method is one of the classical pulse methods of acupuncture-moxibustion in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, which is also a classical clinical paradigm for diagnosing and treating meridian diseases in the ancient times. Based on comprehensive review of literature and clinical practice, this paper reveals that this method compares the size of the neck Renying pulse with hand Cunkou pulse to determine the change of yin-yang and excess-deficiency identifying the affected meridians. The jing-well, xing-spring, and shu-stream points of the surface and interior meridians of affected meridians are mainly selected to regulate deficiency and excess through reinforcing and reducing methods. The Renying Cunkou pulse method possesses a simple and practical medical theory, easy diagnostic procedure, and clear meridian selection for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment, warranting further exploration of its essence and diagnostic therapeutic principles.

Antimicrobial Activity and Working Mechanism of Human Ribonuclease A Superfamily / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Human RNase A (human RNase A) superfamily contains 13 members (RNase 1~RNase 13) with different biological activities. In addition to the conserved catalytic sequence, its protein structure also has a significant diversity of sequences, which determines that human ribonuclease A can exert biological functions other than ribonuclease activity. Human RNase A superfamily members are expressed in various immune cells such as eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages and can be secreted to exert various biological functions, including anti-microbial activity, promote host defense, participate in angiogenesis and sperm maturation, etc. Some members of the human ribonuclease A superfamily can exert antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities through direct actions such as hydrolysis of viral RNA, inhibition of viral replication, destruction of bacterial cell walls, promotion of microbial aggregation, damage to parasitic cell membranes and mitochondrial membranes, and indirect actions mediated by host innate immune cells, thereby participating in host defense. This article reviews the antimicrobial (including viruses, bacteria, and fungi) and antiparasitic activities of human ribonuclease A and their mechanisms of action. It also prospects the prospects of human ribonuclease A as an active antimicrobial substance and innate immune molecule for the treatment of severe and drug-resistant microbial infections.

Effects of S1P/S1PR1 pathway on high glucose induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of rat renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating ROS/NLRP3 / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of S1P/S1PR1 signaling pathway on high glucose(HG)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of rat renal tubular epithelial cells and its possible mechanism. Methods Cells were treated with different concentrations of glucose, and intracellular S1P expression was detected by ELISA and S1PR1 protein expression was detected by Western blot. The cells were divided into normal control group, HG group and HG + siS1PR1 group. The expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin and Twist mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR and E-cadherin, α-SMA, Vimentin, NLRP3, ASC and NF-κB protein expression were detected by Western blot, and the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The cells were divided into normal control group, S1P group and S1P + siS1PR1 group. Vimentin, Snail, α-SMA, NLRP3, ASC and NF-κB protein expressions were detected by Western blot, and ROS levels were measured by fluorescence microscopy. Results ELISA results showed that the content of S1P in cells increased significantly under high glucose stimulation. Western blot results showed that S1PR1 protein expression was significantly higher at 30 mmol · L

Rapidly separating dissolving microneedles with sustained-release colchicine and stabilized uricase for simplified long-term gout management

Despite growing prevalence and incidence, the management of gout remains suboptimal. The intermittent nature of the gout makes the long-term urate-lowering therapy (ULT) particularly important for gout management. However, patients are reluctant to take medication day after day to manage incurable occasional gout flares, and suffer from possible long-term toxicity. Therefore, a safe and easy-to-operate drug delivery system with simple preparation for the long-term management of gout is very necessary. Here, a chitosan-containing sustained-release microneedle system co-loaded with colchicine and uricase liposomes were fabricated to achieve this goal. This microneedle system was confirmed to successfully deliver the drug to the skin and maintain a one-week drug retention. Furthermore, its powerful therapeutic potency to manage gout was investigated in both acute gouty and chronic gouty models. Besides, the drug co-delivery system could help avoid long-term daily oral colchicine, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index. This system also avoids mass injection of uricase by improving its stability, enhancing the clinical application value of uricase. In general, this two-drug system reduces the dosage of uricase and colchicine and improves the patient's compliance, which has a strong clinical translation.

Effect of guarana on lipid metabolism in obese rats: a study based on lipidomics / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the effect of guarana on plasma lipid metabolites in obese rats and analyzed its mechanism in the treatment of dyslipidemia in obesity. High-fat diet was used to establish obese rat models, and the therapeutic effect of guarana on obese rats was evaluated by measuring body weight, white fat, liver weight, and lipid content, as well as observing liver histomorphology. Lipid metabolites in plasma of rats in each group were detected by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS lipidomics. The protein expressions of fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, triglyceride synthesis enzyme, carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅰ, and acetyl-coenzyme A acyltransferase 2 in rat liver were detected using Western blot. The results revealed that guarana significantly reduced body weight, white fat, and liver weight of obese rats due to high-fat diet, and alleviated dyslipidemia and liver steatosis. Lipidomics showed that some triglycerides and phospholipids were significantly elevated in the high-fat model group, and part of them was reduced after guarana treatment. Western blot found that guarana inhibited the expression of hepatic fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis-related proteins and increased the expression of fatty acid β-oxidation-related proteins. Abnormalities in triglyceride and phospholipid metabolism are the main characteristics of plasma lipid metabolism in obese rats induced by high-fat diet. Guarana may regulate partial triglyceride and phospholipid metabolism by inhibiting hepatic fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis and increasing fatty acid β-oxidation, thereby improving rat obesity and dyslipidemia.

Effect of electroacupuncture at different time points on postoperative urination function in patients with mixed hemorrhoids surgery / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on postoperative urination function in patients with mixed hemorrhoid surgery.@*METHODS@#A total of 240 patients with mixed hemorrhoid surgery under lumbar anesthesia were randomly divided into an EA preconditioning group (group A, 60 cases, 9 cases dropped off), an intraoperative EA group (group B, 60 cases, 4 cases dropped off), a postoperative EA group (group C, 60 cases, 6 cases dropped off), and a non-acupuncture group (group D, 60 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the groups A, B and C, EA was exerted at Zhongliao (BL 33) and Huiyang (BL 35) , with disperse-dense wave, 4 Hz/20 Hz in frequency, and lasting 30 min, at 30 min before lumbar anesthesia, immediately after lumbar anesthesia and 6 h after surgery, respectively. No EA intervention was performed in the group D. The postoperative urination smoothness score in each group was observed 24 h after surgery. The first urination time, first urination volume, urine residual volume after first urination were recorded, and incidence of indwelling catheterization, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, number of remedial analgesia, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were observed in each group.@*RESULTS@#In the groups A, B and C, the postoperative urination smoothness scores were superior to the group D (P<0.05), and the time of first urination was earlier than the group D (P<0.05). In the group C, the time of first urination was earlier than the group A and the group B (P<0.05), the first urination volume was higher than the group D (P<0.05), and the urine residual volume after first urination was lower than the group D (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of indwelling catheterization and postoperative nausea and vomiting among the 4 groups (P>0.05). The VAS scores of the group A, B and C were lower than that in the group D (P<0.05), and the number of remedial analgesia cases was lower than that in the group D (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA intervention could promote the recovery of urination function and relieve postoperative pain in patients with mixed hemorrhoids surgery. Early postoperative EA intervention is more conducive to the recovery of urination function.

Mechanism of m6A methyltransferase 3 in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the role and mechanism of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methyltransferase 3(METTL3)in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract.METHODS: We cultured SRA01/04 cells in low and high sugar media for 24h and measured changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)indicators(E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, ZO-1 and α-SMA)using RT-qPCR and Western blot assays. Cell migration was also assessed using transwell and scratch assays. To investigate the expression level and localization of METTL3 in human lens anterior capsules tissues. Additionally, we used m6A dot blot assay to detect the m6A methylation level of cells cultured in low and high glucose media for 24h, and employed RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments to detect RNA and protein expression of METTL3 in cells. We then treated the cells with METTL3 inhibitor and measured changes in EMT markers by RT-qPCR and Western blot; m6A methylation level was detected by m6A dot blot test; cell migration was detected by Transwell. Finally, the expression of transforming growth factor-β(TGFβ1)in cultured cells was assessed by immunofluorescence staining and the expression levels of TGFβ1 and SNAIL in cells were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS: Under high glucose conditions, the expression of EMT markers, METTL3, and m6A methylation levels were significantly increased in cells(P&#x003C;0.05). Furthermore, the migratory ability of cells was higher in high-sugar medium than in low-sugar medium. In human lens anterior capsules, METTL3 expression was higher in patients with diabetic cataract compared to those with age-related cataract. Importantly, treatment with the METTL3 inhibitor STM2457 inhibited EMT in cells, the expression of TGFβ1 and SNAIL, as well as m6A methylation levels in cells(all P&#x003C;0.05)compared to high-sugar + dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)group. Moreover, the migratory capacity of cells was reduced after the addition of STM2457 compared to the high-sugar + DMSO group.CONCLUSION:METTL3 promotes the EMT in human lens epithelial cells under high glucose conditions by activating the TGFβ1/SNAIL pathway, thus contributing to the development of diabetic cataracts.

Methyltransferase-like 3-mediated N6-methyladenosine methylation modification regulates the biological activity of vascular endothelial cells via the Notch pathway / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the role and mechanism of methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)-mediated N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methylation modification in regulating biological activity of vascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization.METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)cultured in vitro were divided into the following groups: control group(normal culture), low density lipoprotein(LDL)group, fluorescence-labelled LDL(Dil-LDL)group, 12.5μg/mL and 25μg/mL oxidized LDL(ox-LDL)groups, 12.5μg/mL and 25μg/mL fluorescence-labelled ox-LDL(Dil-ox-LDL)groups, DMSO group, STM2457(METTL3 inhibitor)group, DAPT group; and monkey retina-choroidal endothelial cells(RF/6A)cultured in vitro were divided into control group, DMSO group, 12.5 μg/mL ox-LDL group, and DAPT group. Endocytosed lipoprotein level was examined through fluorescence microscopy. RNA m6A methylation level was detected through a dot blot assay. Protein and RNA levels of METTL3 or angiogenesis-related markers were measured through Western blot assays and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively. METTL3 expression and localization were investigated through immunofluorescence. Cell migratory and tube formation capacities were assessed through transwell migration and tube formation assays, respectively.RESULTS: Endocytosed lipoprotein levels in HUVECs exposed to Dil-LDL, 12.5μg/mL and 25μg/mL Dil-ox-LDL groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. 12.5μg/mL and 25μg/mL ox-LDL groups significantly increased m6A methylation(all P&#x003C;0.05), METTL3 protein expression(all P&#x003C;0.01), and cell migration and angiogenesis capacities(all P&#x003C;0.01). METTL3 mRNA level was significantly unregulated in the 12.5μg/mL ox-LDL group(P&#x003C;0.05). In comparison to the DMSO group, the addition of STM2457 caused significant decrease in m6A methylation level(P&#x003C;0.05), expression of VEGF and other angiogenesis-related markers(all P&#x003C;0.05), cell migration and angiogenesis capacities(all P&#x003C;0.01)and the expression of NICD(P&#x003C;0.05). However, there were no significant differences in METTL3 protein and mRNA levels(all P&#x003E;0.05). The expression of VEGF and NICD(all P&#x003C;0.05), as well as the ability of cell migration and angiogenesis of RF/6A, was all significantly decreased in the DAPT group compared to the DMSO group(all P&#x003C;0.01).CONCLUSION: METTL3-mediated m6A methylation modification promotes angiogenesis in vascular endothelial cells via the Notch signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization.

Free PSA performs better than total PSA in predicting prostate volume in Chinese men with PSA levels of 2.5-9.9 ng ml-1 / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study investigated whether free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA) performs better than total PSA (tPSA) in predicting prostate volume (PV) in Chinese men with different PSA levels. A total of 5463 men with PSA levels of <10 ng ml-1 and without prostate cancer diagnosis were included in this study. Patients were classified into four groups: PSA <2.5 ng ml-1, 2.5-3.9 ng ml-1, 4.0-9.9 ng ml-1, and 2.5-9.9 ng ml-1. Pearson/Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the ability of tPSA and fPSA to predict PV. The correlation coefficient between tPSA and PV in the PSA <2.5 ng ml-1 cohort (r = 0.422; P < 0.001) was markedly higher than those of the cohorts with PSA levels of 2.5-3.9 ng ml-1, 4.0-9.9 ng ml-1, and 2.5-9.9 ng ml-1 (r = 0.114, 0.167, and 0.264, respectively; all P ≤ 0.001), while fPSA levels did not differ significantly among different PSA groups. Area under ROC curve (AUC) analyses revealed that the performance of fPSA in predicting PV ≥40 ml (AUC: 0.694, 0.714, and 0.727) was better than that of tPSA (AUC = 0.545, 0.561, and 0.611) in men with PSA levels of 2.5-3.9 ng ml-1, 4.0-9.9 ng ml-1, and 2.5-9.9 ng ml-1, respectively, but not at PSA levels of <2.5 ng ml-1 (AUC: 0.713 vs 0.720). These findings suggest that the relationship between tPSA and PV may vary with PSA level and that fPSA is more powerful at predicting PV only in the ''gray zone'' (PSA levels of 2.5-9.9 ng ml-1), but its performance was similar to that of tPSA at PSA levels of <2.5 ng ml-1.

Two cases of airway dysfunction related to diacetyl exposure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational exposure to diacetyl can lead to bronchiolitis obliterans. In this paper, two patients with severe obstructive ventilation disorder who were exposed to diacetyl at a fragrance and flavours factory were analyzed. The clinical manifestations were cough and shortness of breath. One of them showed Mosaic shadows and uneven perfusion in both lungs on CT, while the other was normal. Field investigation found that 4 of the 8 workers in the factory were found to have obstructive ventilation disorder, and 2 had small airway dysfunction. This paper summarizes the diagnostic process of patients in order to improve the understanding of airway dysfunction caused by occupational exposure to diacetyl and promote the development of relevant standards.

Effect of Erjing Pills on alleviating neuroinflammation of AD rats based on TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to study the effect of Erjing Pills on the improvement of neuroinflammation of rats with Alzheimer's di-sease(AD) induced by the combination of D-galactose and Aβ_(25-35) and its mechanism. SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model control group, a positive drug group(donepezil, 1 mg·kg~(-1)), an Erjing Pills high-dose group(9.0 g·kg~(-1)), and an Erjing Pills low-dose group(4.5 g·kg~(-1)), with 14 rats each group. To establish the rat model of AD, Erjing Pills were intragastrically administrated to rats for 5 weeks after 2 weeks of D-galactose injection. D-galactose was intraperitoneally injected into rats for 3 weeks, and then Aβ_(25-35) was injected into the bilateral hippocampus. The new object recognition test was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats after 4 weeks of intragastric administration. Tissues were acquired 24 h after the last administration. The immunofluorescence method was used to detect the activation of microglia in the brain tissue of rats. The positive expressions of Aβ_(1-42) and phosphory protein Tau~(404)(p-Tau~(404)) in the CA1 area of the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the brain tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors 3(NLRP3) pathway-associated proteins in the brain tissue were determined by Western blot. The results showed that as compared with the sham group, the new object recognition index of rats in the model control group decreased significantly, the deposition of Aβ_(1-42) and p-Tau~(404) positive protein in the hippocampus increased significantly, and the levels of microglia activation increased significantly in the dentate gyrus. The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the hippocampus of the model control group increased significantly, and the expression levels of TLR4, p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, p-IκBα/IκBα, and NLRP3 proteins in the hippocampus increased significantly. Compared with the model control group, the Erjing Pill groups enhanced the new object recognition index of rats, decreased the deposition of Aβ_(1-42) and the expression of p-Tau~(404) positive protein in the hippocampus, inhibited the activation of microglia in the dentate gyrus, reduced the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the hippocampus, and down-regulated the expression levels of TLR4, p-NF-κB P65/NF-κB P65, p-IκBα/IκBα, and NLRP3 proteins in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Erjing Pills can improve the learning and memory ability of the rat model of AD presumably by improving the activation of microglia, reducing the expression levels of neuroinflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 neuroinflammation pathway, and decreasing hippocampal deposition of Aβ and expression of p-Tau, thereby restoring the hippocampal morphological structure.

Methyl ferulic acid ameliorates ethanol-induced L02 cell steatosis through microRNA-378b-mediated CaMKK2-AMPK pathway / 中国中药杂志

Alcoholic liver disease(ALD), with its increasing morbidity and mortality, has seriously and extensively affected the health of people worldwide. Methyl ferulic acid(MFA) has been proven to significantly inhibit alcohol-induced lipid production in L02 cells through the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) pathway, but its in-depth mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to further clarify the mechanism of MFA in improving lipid accumulation in L02 cells through the microRNA-378b(miR-378b)-mediated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2(CaMKK2)-AMPK signaling pathway based on existing researches. L02 cells were induced by 100 mmol·L~(-1) ethanol for 48 h to establish the model of ALD in vitro, and 100, 50, and 25 μmol·L~(-1) concentration of MFA was treated. MiR-378b plasmids(containing the overexpression plasmid-miR-378b mimics, silence plasmid-miR-378b inhibitor, and their respective negative control-miR-378b NCs) were transfected into L02 cells by electroporation to up-regulate or down-regulate the levels of miR-378b in L02 cells. The levels of total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) in cells were detected by commercial diagnostic kits and automatic biochemical analyzers. The expression levels of miR-378b in L02 cells were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). CaMKK2 mRNA levels were detected by PCR, and protein expressions of related factors involved in lipid synthesis, decomposition, and transport in lipid metabolism were detected by Western blot. The results displayed that ethanol significantly increased TG and TC levels in L02 cells, while MFA decreased TG and TC levels. Ethanol up-regulated the miR-378b level, while MFA effectively inhibited the miR-378b level. The overexpression of miR-378b led to lipid accumulation in ethanol-induced L02 cells, while the silence of miR-378b improved the lipid deposition induced by ethanol. MFA activated the CaMKK2-AMPK signaling pathway by lowering miR-378b, thus improving lipid synthesis, decomposition, and transport, which improved lipid deposition in L02 cells. This study shows that MFA improves lipid deposition in L02 cells by regulating the CaMKK2-AMPK pathway through miR-378b.

Construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on pyroptosis-related genes / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study the construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs). Methods: HCC patient datasets were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a prognostic model was constructed by applying univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkages and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. According to the median risk score, HCC patients in the TCGA dataset were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, and nomograms were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the prognostic models. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes between the two groups. Finally, two HCC datasets (GSE76427 and GSE54236) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to externally validate the prognostic value of the model. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis or Wilcoxon tests were performed on the data. Results: A total of 366 HCC patients were included after screening the HCC patient dataset obtained from the TCGA database. A prognostic model related to HCC was established using univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and seven genes (CASP8, GPX4, GSDME, NLRC4, NLRP6, NOD2, and SCAF11). 366 cases were evenly divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the survival time between patients in the high-risk and low-risk groups in the TCGA, GSE76427, and GSE54236 datasets (median overall survival time was 1 149 d vs. 2 131 d, 4.8 years vs. 6.3 years, and 20 months vs. 28 months, with P = 0.000 8, 0.034 0, and 0.0018, respectively). ROC curves showed good survival predictive value in both the TCGA dataset and two externally validated datasets. The areas under the ROC curves of 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.719, 0.65, and 0.657, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score of the prognostic model was an independent predictor of overall survival time in HCC patients. The risk model score accurately predicted the survival probability of HCC patients according to the established nomogram. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis showed that the immune status of the high-risk group was significantly decreased. Conclusion: The prognostic model constructed in this study based on seven PRGs accurately predicts the prognosis of HCC patients.

Sex Estimation of Han Adults in Western China Based on Three-Dimensional Cranial CT Reconstruction / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To examine the reliability and accuracy of Walker's model for estimating the sex of Han adults in western China by using cranium three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction, and to study the suitable cranial sex estimation model for Han people in western China.@*METHODS@#A total of 576 cranial CT 3D reconstructed images from Hanzhong Hospital in Shaanxi Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. These images were divided into the experimental group with 486 samples and the validation group with 90 samples. Walker's model was used by observer 1 to estimate the sex of experimental group samples. The logistic function applicable to Han people in western China was corrected by observer 1. The 90 samples in the validation group were scored and substituted into the modified logistic function to complete the back substitution test by observer 1, 2 and 3.@*RESULTS@#The accuracy of sex estimation of Han adults in western China was 63.2%-77.2% by applying Walker's model. The accuracy of modified logistic function was 82.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation through back substitution test by 3 observers was 75.6%-91.1%, with a Kappa value of 0.689 (P<0.05) for inter-observer consistency and 0.874 (P<0.05) for intra-observer consistency.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are great differences in bone characteristics among people from different regions. The modified logistic function can achieve higher accuracy in Han adults in western China.

Comparison of CT Values between Thrombus and Postmortem Clot Based on Cadaveric Pulmonary Angiography / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the difference in CT values between pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to further improve the application value of virtual autopsy.@*METHODS@#Postmortem CTPA data with the definite cause of death from 2016 to 2019 were collected and divided into pulmonary thromboembolism group (n=4), postmortem clot group (n=5), and control group (n=5). CT values of pulmonary trunk and left and right pulmonary artery contents in each group were measured and analyzed statistically.@*RESULTS@#The average CT value in the pulmonary thromboembolism group and postmortem clot group were (168.4±53.8) Hu and (282.7±78.0) Hu, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group (1 193.0±82.9) Hu (P<0.05). The average CT value of the postmortem clot group was higher than that of the pulmonary thromboembolism group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CT value is reliable and feasible as a relatively objective quantitative index to distinguish pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CTPA. At the same time, it can provide a scientific basis to a certain extent for ruling out pulmonary thromboembolism deaths.

Clinical Characteristics of Aggressive NK-Cell Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore and summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of aggressive NK-cell leukemia (ANKL), and provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 7 patients with ANKL admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from March 2014 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and their clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging results, treatment and outcomes were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 7 patients, 5 were males and 2 were females, with a median age of 47 (33-69) years old. The morphology of bone marrow cells in 7 patients showed similar large granular lymphocytes. Immunophenotyping revealed abnormal NK cells in 5 cases. By the end of follow-up, 6 cases died and 1 case survived, with a median survival time of 76.9 (4-347) days.@*CONCLUSION@#ANKL is a rare disease with short course and poor prognosis. If combined with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), the prognosis is even worse. There is no unified treatment method at present, and the use of PD-1 inhibitors may prolong the survival in some patients.

Forensic Pathological Diagnosis of Acute and Old Myocardial Infarction Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze myocardial infarction tissues at different stages of pathological change to achieve the forensic pathology diagnosis of acute and old myocardial infarction.@*METHODS@#FTIR spectra data of early ischemic myocardium, necrotic myocardium, and myocardial fibrous tissue in the left ventricular anterior wall of the sudden death group of atherosclerotic heart disease and the myocardium of the normal control group were collected using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining as a reference, and the data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#The mean normalized spectra of control myocardium, early ischemic myocardium and necrotic myocardium were relatively similar, but the mean second derivative spectra were significantly different. The peak intensity of secondary structure of proteins in early ischemic myocardium was significantly higher than in other types of myocardium, and the peak intensity of the α-helix in necrotic myocardium was the lowest. The peaks of amide Ⅰ and amide Ⅱ in the mean normalized spectra of myocardial fibrous tissue significantly shifted towards higher wave numbers, the peak intensities of amide Ⅱ and amide Ⅲ were higher than those of other types of myocardium, and the peak intensities at 1 338, 1 284, 1 238 and 1 204 cm-1 in the mean second derivative spectra were significantly enhanced. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that FTIR could distinguish different types of myocardium.@*CONCLUSIONS@#FTIR technique has the potential to diagnose acute and old myocardial infarction, and provides a new basis for the analysis of the causes of sudden cardiac death.