Clinical Characteristics and Survival Analysis of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Colonized or Infected Patients with Hematological Disorders / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical characteristics and impact on mortality of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) colonized or infected patients with hematological disorders in order to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of CRPA.@*METHODS@#The patients who were colonized or infected with CRPA in the Department of Hematology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 2020 to March 2021 were selected as the research subjects, the clinical data such as hospitalization time, primary disease treatment regimen, granulocyte count, previous infection and antibiotic regimen of these patients were analyzed, meanwhile, antibiotic regimen and efficacy during CRPA infection, 30-day and long-term survival were also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 59 patients were included in this study, and divided into CRPA infection group (43 cases) and CRPA colonization group (16 cases). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that ECOG score (P =0.003), agranulocytosis (P <0.001), and exposure to upper than 3rd generations of cephalosporins and tigecycline within 30 days (P =0.035, P =0.017) were the high-risk factors for CRPA infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ECOG score of 3/4 ( OR=10.815, 95%CI: 1.260-92.820, P =0.030) and agranulocytosis ( OR=13.82, 95%CI: 2.243-85.176, P =0.005) were independent risk factors for CRPA infection. There was a statistically significant difference in cumulative survival rate between CRPA colonization group and CRPA infection group ( χ2=14.134, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the influencing factors of 30-day survival in patients with CRPA infection were agranulocytosis (P =0.022), soft tissue infection (P =0.03), and time of hospitalization before CRPA infection (P =0.041). Cox regression analysis showed that agranulocytosis was an independent risk factor affecting 30-day survival of patients with CRPA infection (HR=3.229, 95%CI :1.093-3.548, P =0.034).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with hematological disorders have high mortality and poor prognosis after CRPA infection. Bloodstream infection and soft tissue infection are the main causes of death. Patients with high suspicion of CRPA infection and high-risk should be treated as soon as possible.

Comparison of alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS was used to systematically analyze and compare the alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata. After the samples were pretreated in the solid-phase extraction cartridges, 0.1% ammonium hydroxide(A)-acetonitrile(B) was used for gradient elution. The LC-MS method for characterization of alkaloids in the three herbal medicines was established in ESI positive ion mode to collect high resolution MS data of reference substances and samples. On the basis of the information of reference substance cracking behavior, retention time, accurate molecular mass, and related literature, a total of 155 alkaloids were identified in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Prae-parata. Specifically, 130, 127, and 92 alkaloids were identified in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, Aconiti Radix, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, respectively. Monoester alkaloids and amino-alcohol alkaloids were dominant in the three herbal medicines, and the alkaloids in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and Aconiti Radix were similar. This paper can provide a reference for elucidating the pharmacological effects and clinical application differences of the three herbal medicines produced from plants of Aconitum.

Manufacturing classification system for oral solid dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines (Ⅱ): classification of tablets disintegration behavior / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, 50 batches of representative traditional Chinese medicine tablets were selected and the disintegration time was examined with the method in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The disintegration time and disintegration phenomenon were recorded, and the dissolution behaviors of water-soluble and ultraviolet-absorbent components during the disintegration process of tablets were characterized by self-control method. The results revealed that coating type and raw material type influenced the disintegration time of tablets. It was found that only 4% of traditional Chinese medicine tablets had obvious fragmentation during the disintegration process, while 96% of traditional Chinese medicine tablets showed gradual dissolution or dispersion. Furthermore, according to the disintegration speed, disintegration phenomenon, and whether the cumulative dissolution of measured components was > 90% at complete disintegration, a disintegration behavior classification system(DBCS) was created for the regular-release traditional Chinese medicine tablets. As a result, the disintegration behaviors of 50 batches of traditional Chinese medicine tablets were classified into four categories, i.e. ⅠA_2, ⅠB_1, ⅡB_1, and ⅡB_2. traditional Chinese medicine tablets(Class I) with disintegration time ≤ 30 min were defined to be rapid in disintegration, which can be the objective of optimization or improvement of Chinese herbal extract(semi extract) tablets. Different drug release models were used to fit the dissolution curve of traditional Chinese medicine tablets with gradual dissolution or dispersion phenomenon(i.e. Type B tablets). The results showed that the dissolution curves of water-soluble components in the disintegration process conformed to the zero order kinetics and the Ritger-Peppas model. It could be inferred that the disintegration mechanisms of type B tablets were a combination of dissolution controlled and swelling controlled mechanisms. This study contributes to understanding the disintegration behavior of traditional Chinese medicine tablets, and provides a reference for the design and improvement of disintegration performance of traditional Chinese medicine tablets.

CiteSpace knowledge map of research hotspots and frontiers of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the development status of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years, analyze the research hotspots, and summarize the development trends to provide reference materials for scholars in this field. Taking the available literature related to the field of TCM intervention in psoriasis as the research object, the trends, contents, and source publications were statistically analyzed based on bibliometrics. The research cooperation and co-occurrence of keywords in this field were studied by the knowledge map analysis method based on CiteSpace. The total number of Chinese papers was 2 993 and English papers 285. In terms of publication trend, the annual publication of English papers was low but showed an obvious upward trend, while the increase in Chinese papers fluctuated and tended to be flat. In terms of the content of Chinese papers published, TCM ranked first according to the discipline(2 415). In English papers, the number of publications in pharmacology and pharmaceutical science was the highest(87). Literature source analysis showed that the Chinese and English journals with the most publications were China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy and Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, respectively. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine published the most dissertations in China(99). The authors with the most publications in Chinese and English were LI Bin(Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and LU Chuan-jian(Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine). As revealed by the CiteSpace analysis of the research cooperation network, there were four mature and stable core teams in this field, but the cooperation intensity between different teams was weak. According to the keywords co-occurrence knowledge graph constructed by CiteSpace, the current hot keywords in this field are as follows: psoriasis, blood-heat syndrome, blood-stasis syndrome, fire needle, blood-dryness type, imiquimod, TCM bath, etiology and pathogenesis, cytokines, cupping therapy, etc. In summary, Chinese scholars have conducted active exploration and research in the field of TCM intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years. The overall development trend is good, and the breadth and depth of the research are constantly extending. It is suggested that relevant research should be free from discipline restrictions and strive for interdisciplinary integration.

Short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty for the treatment of Kümmell disease with kyphosis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical effects of posterior short-segment pedicle screw internal fixation combined with vertebroplasty for the treatment of Kümmell disease with kyphosis.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four patients with Kümmell disease complicated with kyphosis treated by posterior short-segment pedicle screw internal fixation combined with vertebroplasty from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 6 males and 18 females, aged 63 to 85 (73.1±6.5) years old. The clinical effect was evaluate by visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the anterior height of injured vertebral body, and the sagittal Cobb angle of the affected segment beforeoperation, at 3 days and final follow up after operation. And the surgical complications were observed.@*RESULTS@#All 24 patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of (15.5±3.2) months. The VAS score was decreased from 5.21±1.06 preoperatively to 2.38±0.58 at 3 days postoperatively and 1.71±0.75 at final follow-up;ODI was decreased from (50.4±13.5)% preoperatively to (20.9±8.0)% at 3 days postoperatively and (16.7±9.6)% at final follow-up;the anterior height of injured vertebral body was restored from (8.0±4.2) mm before surgery to (18.1±5.0) mm at 3 days after surgery and (16.8±5.1) mm at final follow up;the sagittal Cobb angle of affected segment was decreased from (19.5±6.3)° preoperatively to (7.6±2.1)° at 3 days after surgery and(8.4±1.7)° at final follow-up. VAS, ODI, anterior height of injured vertebral body, and sagittal Cobb angle of affected segment were significantly improved at 3 days after operation and at final follow-up (@*CONCLUSION@#Posterior short-segment pedicle screw internal fixation combined with vertebroplasty for the treatment of Kümmell disease with kyphosis has relatively small surgical trauma, excellent clinical results, good vertebral height recovery, satisfactory correction of kyphotic angle, and fewer complications, etc. It is a safe and effective surgical method to treat Kümmell disease with kyphosis.

The influence of pressure range on the fitting results of tablet compression equation / 药学学报

According to the commonly used tablet compressibility, compactability and tabletability equation, the influence of pressure range on the fitting results and parameters of different compression equations was studied, and the optimal pressure range of different equations was determined. Plastic material microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) PH102, brittle material spray dried lactose and Chinese medicine Sanqi were used as experimental objects, the compression curves of tablets were obtained by the combination of dies with different diameters. For Heckel equation, the shape of Heckel section of different materials is not uniform, and the specified linear fitting range cannot be obtained, therefore, different distances between fitting pressure starting point and starting point were set to observe the influence of pressure range on R2 of Heckel equation. The Kawakita equation, Gurnham equation, Ryshkewitch-Duckworth (R-D) equation and Power equation are fitted in three different pressure ranges of 15-200, 15-300 and 15-400 MPa, respectively. In order to find the best linear region of Heckel equation, the 3D scatter diagram of "starting point of pressure, pressure range and R2" is drawn. The best linear pressure ranges of Heckel curves of MCC, lactose and Sanqi were 20-170, 20-220 and 10-90 MPa, respectively. It is proved that the 3D scatter diagram is an effective method to find the linear range of Heckel equation. The change of pressure range has little influence on the curve fitting effect and compression parameters of Kawakita equation, Gurnham equation and Ryshkewitch-Duckworth equation. The low pressure range of 15-200 MPa can meet the fitting requirements of Kawakita equation, Gurnham equation, R-D equation and Power equation for different materials. Therefore, only by optimizing the pressure range, can the good fitting effect be ensured and the obtained compression parameters be more reliable and interpretable.

Effect of combined treatment with human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on liver function, inflammation grade, and immune function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo retrospectively investigate the effect of combined treatment with human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCB-MNCs) and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on liver function, inflammation grade, and immune function in patients with hepatitis B-related decompensated cirrhosis. Methods 11 patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from November 2016 to June 2019 were enrolled in this clinical study and were given infusion of hUCB-MNCs (＞18×109/time) once in the first week and infusion of hUC-MSCs (1×106/kg) once a week in the second, third, and fourth weeks. Reexamination was performed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment to compare the changes in liver function, blood ammonia, blood coagulation factors, serum levels of cytokines, and lymphocyte subsets after treatment, and the changes in neurological and psychiatric symptoms were observed and recorded. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsAfter the combined treatment with hUCB-MNCs and hUC-MSCs, all 11 patients achieved certain improvements in psychiatric and neurological symptoms after infusion, and liver function parameters and blood coagulation function basically returned to normal (all P＜0.05). At 12 weeks after the combined infusion of cells, blood ammonia level returned to the normal level (P＜0.05), and there were significant reductions in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor (F=49497 and 37.071, both P＜0.05) and significant increases in the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-10 (F=35.843 and 15.918, both P＜005). There were also significant reductions in the percentages of the cytotoxic cells CD3+CD8+ T and CD19+ B cells (F=52.242 and 89.097, both P＜0.05) and a significant increase in the regulatory T cells CD4+CD25+ (F=17.337, P＜0.05). ConclusionCombined treatment with hUCB-MNCs and hUC-MSCs for liver cirrhosis can optimize liver function, reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, alleviate liver inflammation and liver cell destruction, and increase regulatory T cells, thereby affecting the body’s immune function.

Mechanism of "herb soaking with exact amount of water" during moistening process of ginseng based on needle pressure sensor / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the texture analyzer acupuncture pressure sensor was used to objectively characterize the "herb soaking with exact amount of water" for moistening process of ginseng. The single factor rotation experiment was used to investigate the effects of puncture speed, puncture depth and puncture site on puncture force and work. According to ginseng processing method in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, ginseng medicinal materials with diameters of about 1 cm and 2 cm were selected, and puncture experiments were carried out at the set measurement time to determine the hardness, work and water absorption of the ginseng moistening process. The endpoint threshold for the ginseng softening process was determined and verified. To reflect the actual internal conditions of the ginseng softening process, the puncture depth was preferably 70%, and the puncture speed was 30 mm·min~(-1). In the ginseng moistening process, the softening hardness and the puncture work were in accordance with the first-order kinetic equation y=a×exp(-k×x). The 0 h initial hardness a of 1 cm and 2 cm ginseng herbs were 289.8 N and 1 227 N, and the rate constants K were 0.149 4 N·h~(-1) and 0.100 7 N·h~(-1), respectively. After the ginseng was completely softened, the force required for puncture was 10 N, which can be used as the standard for "drug penetration". At this time, the water absorption rate of ginseng was 70%-100%. The softening time of ginseng with a diameter of 1 cm was about 20-22 h, and the softening time of ginseng with a diameter of 2 cm was about 40-46 h. A needle-type pressure sensor was used to accurately determine the end point of the softening process of ginseng and reduce the loss of active ingredients. The study results provide reference for the softening process kinetics and the process intelligent monitoring of other dried roots and rhizomes.

Evaluation and classification of dissolution behavior and capability of Chinese medicine granules based on an inline turbidity sensor / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, the inline turbidity sensor technology was used to quantify the turbidity of the solution during the dissolution of Chinese medicine granules. The probe measurement position and the magnetic stirring speed were optimized. As a result, the stirring speed was 400 r·min~(-1), and the probe position was at 1/4 of the diameter of the beaker. The measurement results were accurate and reliable. Totally 105 batches of commercially available Chinese medicine granules were collected and dissolved according to the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. At the time point of 5 min, 57 batches of granules were completely dissolved, and the corresponding turbidity values ranged between 0-70 FTU; 32 batches of granules showed a slight turbidity, and the corresponding turbidity values ranged between 70-350 FTU; 14 batches of granule solution were turbid, and the corresponding turbidity values ranged between 350-2 000 FTU; two batches of granule solution were heavily turbid, and the corresponding turbidity values were >2 000 FTU. Among the above results, the number of batches in line with the pharmacopoeia dissolution requirement was 84.76%, and the dissolution of some granules still needed to be improved. The turbidity sensor recorded the change curve of turbidity value over time(solubility behavior curve). The degree of important of disintegration and dissolution during the dissolution process showed disintegration > dissolution, disintegration≈dissolution, disintegration < dissolution. The dissolution behavior of the granules can be classified into three categories. The analysis of the mechanism in the process of granule solubility provides a basis for product process improvement.

Key technologies and applications of industrial big data in manufacturing of Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Along with the striding of the Chinese medicine(CM) manufacturing toward the Industry 4.0, some digital factories have accumulated lightweight industrial big data, which become part of the enterprise assets. These digital assets possess the possibility of solving the problems within the CM production system, like the Sigma gap and the poverty of manufacturing knowledge. From the holistic perspective, a three-tiered architecture of CM industrial big data is put forward, and it consists of the data integration layer, the data analysis layer and the application scenarios layer. In data integration layer, sensing of CM critical quality attributes is the key technology for big data collection. In data analysis and mining layer, the self-developed iTCM algorithm library and model library are introduced to facilitate the implementation of the model lifecycle methodologies, including process model development, model validation, model configuration and model maintenance. The CM quality transfer structure is closely related with the connection mode of multiple production units. The system modeling technologies, such as the partition-integration modeling method, the expanding modeling method and path modeling method, are key to mapping the structure of real manufacturing system. It is pointed out that advance modeling approaches that combine the first-principles driven and data driven technologies are promising in the future. At last, real-world applications of CM industrial big data in manufacturing of injections, oral solid dosages, and formula particles are presented. It is shown that the industrial big data can help process diagnosis, quality forming mechanism interpretations, real time release testing method development and intelligent product formulation design. As renewable resources, the CM industrial big data enable the manufacturing knowledge accumulation and product quality improvement, laying the foundation of intelligent manufacturing.

Multidisciplinary team model for patients with oral cancer and systemic diseases: an expert consensus / 华西口腔医学杂志

Large general hospitals currently play an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment for acute critical patients and difficult diseases because of the development of dual referral system and hierarchical diagnosis, as well as the formation of medical treatment alliance. Patients with oral cancers are often associated with systemic diseases, which increases the complexity of the condition. Thus, meeting the demand through the traditional single medical model is difficult. As such, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model has been proposed and has achieved a good clinical effect. To standardize the application of this model, we organized an event in which relevant experts discussed and formulated a consensus to provide standardized suggestions on the MDT process and the diagnosis and treatment of common systemic diseases as reference for clinical practice.

Advances in research on induction strategies of adult neural stem cells / 中华神经科杂志

For decades, researchers have focused on building genetically and phenotypically stable neural stem cell lines designed to restore the irreversible loss of function of nerve tissue to meet clinical needs. Among them, stem cells that maintain their pluripotent state in adults have also become one of the research focuses. With the development of technologies such as induced pluripotent stem cells and direct differentiation of somatic cells into desired cell types, research methods based on the use of allogeneic neural stem cells derived from embryonic or fetal neural tissue have gradually become a thing of the past. This article will review the basic molecular mechanisms surrounding the maintenance of pluripotent states of stem cells and reprogrammed somatic cells, as well as experimental protocols for inducing neural stem cells.

Treatment satisfaction with rheumatoid arthritis in patients with different disease severity and financial burden: A subgroup analysis of a nationwide survey in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Despite the recent advances in treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there are still unmet needs in disease outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the satisfaction with drug therapies for RA according to the levels of disease severity (patient-assessed) and proportions of treatment cost to household income.@*METHODS@#This was a subgroup study of a cross-sectional study in patients with RA and their physicians. The patients were subdivided into different subgroups based on their self-assessed severity of RA and on the proportions of treatment cost to household income (50%). The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version II was used to assess patients' treatment satisfaction.@*RESULTS@#When considering all medications, effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction scores were lower in the severe and moderate RA subgroups than those in the mild and extremely mild RA subgroups (all P 50% subgroup (all P 50% subgroups (F = 12.646, P = 0.005). Global satisfaction score was higher in the <10% subgroup than that in the 31% to 50% subgroup (F = 8.794, P = 0.032).@*CONCLUSION@#Higher disease severity and higher financial burden were associated with lower patient satisfaction.

UHPLC-HRMS metabonomics to study effect of sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix on endogenous metabolites in rats / 中国中药杂志

The project was launched to analyze the effects of sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix on endogenous metabolites in rats by metabonomics. The preparation method of sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix in laboratory was established. Then the blood samples of SD rats in blank group,Ophiopogonis Radix extract group and sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix extract group were investigated by UHPLC-Q-Exactive. The differential metabolites were screened and identified by PCA(principal component analysis),OPLSDA(orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis) and variable importance projection(VIP),and the metabolic pathways were analyzed. Finally,a total of 15 potential biomarkers were identified. Compared with the samples of Ophiopogonis Radix extract group,sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix mainly affected the biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids in normal rats. Its mechanism may be related to the biosynthesis of phenylalanine,tyrosine,tryptophan and aminoacyl-tRNA as well as the metabolism of phenylalanine and tryptophan. Based on UHPLC-HRMS metabonomics,this paper discussed the effects of sulfur-fumigated Ophiopogonis Radix on endogenous metabolites in rats,which provided an idea for the metabolic study of other sulfur-fumigated traditional Chinese medicines.

Effects of VEGF-Notch Signaling Pathway on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Bone Marrow MSC in Patients with Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the regulation of VEGF-Notch signaling pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the patients with aplastic anemia (AA).@*METHODS@#The bone marrow specimens of AA patients were collected for isolation and identification of BM MSC. Westen blot was used to detect the expression of VEGF-Notch signaling pathway-related proteins (VEGF, VEGFR, Notch 1, Jagged 1, Delta-like 1 and Hes1). The VEGF (100 ng/ml) and DAPT (γ-secretase inhibitor, 10 μmol/L) were respectively added into MSC culture system in oder to activate and inhibit the signaling transduction of VEGF-Notch in BM MSC. The proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of MSC in AA patients were detected by CCK8 assay and flow cyfometry. The adipogenic differentiation of BM MSC was detected by oil red O staining.@*RESULTS@#The VEGF-Notch signaling pathway was significantly inhibited in AA BM tissues and AA MSC (P＜0.05) detected by Western blot. The intervention of VEGF and DAPT significantly activated and inhibited VEGF-Notch signaling in AA MSC, respectively. CCK8 assay showed that VEGF intervention significantly promoted the proliferation of MSC in AA patients (P＜0.05). Flow cytometry showed that VEGF significantly inhibited apoptosis of MSCs by blocking S phase cells (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The activation of VEGF-Notch can restore the proliferation function of MSC in AA patients.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Cross-sectional Study in Northern China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque as manifestations of carotid atherosclerosis have been used as markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are linked to CVD, but the association between MetS and CVD is controversial.@*METHODS@#A total of 8,933 Chinese adults aged 40 years or older from 2010 to 2014 were selected from the Jidong and Kailuan communities. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. CIMT and carotid plaque were measured using color Doppler ultrasound. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of MetS with carotid plaque and CIMT.@*RESULTS@#MetS was found among 3,461 (3,461/8,933) participants. The odds ratio and 95% confidence internal (CI) for carotid plaques in participants with MetS was 1.16 (1.03-1.30). The risk of carotid plaques increased with the number of MetS components. The average CIMT was higher in participants with MetS (β = 0.020, 95% CI, 0.014-0.027) and in participants with more MetS components.@*CONCLUSION@#Individuals with MetS are at an increased risk for carotid atherosclerosis compared to those without MetS.

Role of Ca-NFAT Signaling Pathway in Ph ALL Drug-resistance Mediated by Bone Marrow Stromal Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the role of Ca-NFAT signaling pathway in Ph-ALL drug resistance mediated by bone marrow stromal cells.@*METHODS@#The transcription level of NFAT mRNA in Sup-B15 cells and Ph ALL primary cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The expression of P-glycoprotein in Sup-B15 cells was detected by flow cytometry. The change of NFAT protein in Sup-B15 cells was detected by Western blot. AnnexinV/7-AAD was used to label cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis; Fluo 3-AM dye was used to label cells, and flow cytometry used to detect changes of Ca concentration in leukemia cells.@*RESULTS@#NFAT expression could be detected in both Sup-B15 and Ph ALL primary cells; P-glycoprotein could not be detected by flow cytometry; CAS could significantly inhibit NFAT protein expression in clinically applied drug concentrations (2.5, 5 μmol/L); Clinically applied concentration of CAS (2.5, 5 μmol / L) has no significant effect on the apoptosis of Sup-B15 cells, while higher concentration of CAS (10 μmol / L) could induce apoptosis of Sup-B15 cells. Bone marrow stromal cells OP9 could, decrease the sensitivity of Sup-B15 cells and Ph ALL primary cells to imatinib (IM); After co-culture with bone were marrow stromal cells, the Ca concentration in Sup-B15 cells was enhanced, the levels of NFAT protein and nullear protein in sup-B15 cells also were enhanced. The addition of CAS in co-culture system could inlibit the Ca-NFAT signaling pathway, reduce the protective effect of OP9 on Sup-B15 cells.Conclution:The Ca-NFAT sigualing pathway, contributes to the survival of Ph ALL cells. Bone marrow stromal cells can mediate the resistance of Ph ALL cells to IM by activating Ca-NFAT signaling pathway.

Characteristics of Social Cognitive Impairment and Its Influencing Factors in Patients with Stable Schizophrenia / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To explore the characteristics of social cognitive impairment in patients with stable schizophrenia ，and to analyze the influencing factors to provide a clinical coping strategy for improving the social cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia.【Methods】Firstly，both 158 stable schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls took the test of MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery （MCCB） and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale （BPRS）. General demographic information and clinical data of subjects were collected using questionnaire. Then ，the overall cognitive function and social cognitive function between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls were compared to explore the related factors affecting the social cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia.【Results】①Overall MCCB score and Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test（MSCEIT）factor score of schizophrenia patients with stable period were significantly lower than those of healthy control group（P < 0.05）；②The social cognitive function of schizophrenia patients was significantly correlated with gender，age，hostile suspicion，continuous performance and category fluency （P < 0.05）. 【Conclusions】 Compared with the healthy control group ，schizophrenia patients with stable period have impairment of social cognitive function ，and significant impairment of overall cognitive function. The social cognitive function of schizophrenia patients with stable period is significantly affected by gender ，age ，hostility suspicion ，and neurocognitive function（attention and information processing speed）.

Regulation of flowering time via miR172-mediated APETALA2-like expression in ornamental gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

We investigated the microRNA172 (miR172)-mediated regulatory network for the perception of changes in external and endogenous signals to identify a universally applicable floral regulation system in ornamental plants, manipulation of which could be economically beneficial. Transgenic gloxinia plants, in which miR172 was either overexpressed or suppressed, were generated using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. They were used to study the effect of altering the expression of this miRNA on time of flowering and to identify its mRNA target. Early or late flowering was observed in transgenic plants in which miR172 was overexpressed or suppressed, respectively. A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) APETALA2-like (SsAP2-like) was identified as a target of miR172. The altered expression levels of miR172 caused up- or down-regulation of SsAP2-like during flower development, which affected the time of flowering. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis of different gloxinia tissues revealed that the accumulation of SsAP2-like was negatively correlated with the expression of miR172a, whereas the expression pattern of miR172a was negatively correlated with that of miR156a. Our results suggest that transgenic manipulation of miR172 could be used as a universal strategy for regulating time of flowering in ornamental plants.

Pure total flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad induce leukemia cell apoptosis in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the potential effect of pure total flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad peel (PTFC) on the proliferation of human myeloid leukemia cells Kasumi-1, HL-60 and K562, and the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PTFC was extracted from Citrus paradisi Macfad peel and was identified by high performance liquid chromatography. The effect of PTFC on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of PTFC on the expression levels of apoptosis-related regulators was determined by Western blot assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment with PTFC inhibited leukemia cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and triggered Kasumi-1 cell apoptosis. Treatment with PTFC significantly increased the levels of activated poly adenosine diphosphate-ribosepolymerase and caspase-3/-9, but reduced the levels of Mcl-1 expression in Kasumi-1 cells. However, PTFC did not obviously induce HL-60 cell apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PTFC inhibited leukemia cell proliferation and induced their apoptosis by modulating apoptosisrelated regulator expression in leukemia cells in vitro.</p>