Huangdi Anxiao Capsules-containing serum protects cell model from cognitive dysfunction in diabetes via inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to investigate the effects and the molecular mechanism of Huangdi Anxiao Capsules(HDAX)-containing serum in protecting the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma(PC12) cells from diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction induced by high glucose and whether the mechanism is related to the regulation of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis. The PC12 cell model of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction induced by high glucose was established and mcc950 was used to inhibit NLRP3. PC12 cells were randomized into control, model, HDAX-containing serum, mcc950, and HDAX-containing serum+mcc950 groups. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was employed to determine the viability, and Hoechst 33258/PI staining to detect pyroptosis of PC12 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β) and IL-18. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD-95), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC), gasdermin D(GSDMD), GSDMD-N, and cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), and RT-PCR to determine the mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD, and caspase-1. The immunofluorescence assay was adopted to measure the levels and distribution of NLRP3 and GSDMD-N in PC12 cells. Compared with the control group, the model group showed decreased cell proliferation, increased PI positive rate, down-regulated protein level of PSD-95, up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD-N, GSDMD, and cleaved caspase-1, up-regulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD, and caspase-1, and elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18. Compared with the model group, HDAX-containing serum, mcc950, and the combination of them improved cell survival rate and morphology, decreased the PI positive rate, down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD-N, GSDMD, and cleaved caspase-1 and the mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, GSDMD, and caspase-1, and promoted the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. The findings demonstrated that HDAX-containing serum can inhibit the pyroptosis-mediated by NLRP3 and protect PC12 cells from the cognitive dysfunction induced by high glucose.

Analysis of risk factors for recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma after surgical resection combined with iodine-131 and TSH suppression therapy / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of recurrence after surgical resection of differentiated thyroid carcinoma combined with iodine-131 and TSH（Thyroid stimulating hormone） inhibition therapy. Methods:From January 2015 to April 2020, the clinical data of patients with structural recurrence and without recurrence were retrospectively collected after surgical treatment combined with iodine-131 and TSH inhibition therapy in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. The general conditions of the two groups of patients were analyzed and the measurement data in line with the normal distribution was used for comparison between groups. For measurement data with non-normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for inter-group comparison. The Chi-square test was used for comparison between the counting data groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors associated with relapse. Results:The median follow-up period was 43 months（range 18-81 months） and 100 patients（10.5%） relapsed among the 955 patients. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor multiple, the number of lymph node metastases>5 in the central region of the neck, and the number of lymph node metastases>5 in the lateral region were significantly correlated with post-treatment recurrence（P<0.001, P=0.018, P<0.001, P<0.001）. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size（adjusted odds ratio OR: 1.496, 95%CI: 1.226-1.826, P<0.001）, tumor frequency（adjusted odds ratio OR: 1.927, 95%CI: 1.003-3.701, P=0.049）, the number of lymph node metastases in the central neck region>5（adjusted odds ratio OR: 2.630, 95%CI: 1.509-4.584, P=0.001） and the number of lymph node metastases in the lateral neck region>5（adjusted odds ratio OR: 3.074, 95%CI: 1.649-5.730, P=0.001） was associated with tumor recurrence. Conclusion:The study showed that tumor size, tumor multiple, the number of lymph node metastases in the central region of the neck>5 and the number of lymph node metastases in the side of the neck >5 are independent risk factors for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer after surgical resection combined with iodine-131 and TSH inhibition therapy.

Effects of paclitaxel on Müller cells in retina / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the effects of antitumor drug paclitaxel(PTX)on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell morphology, and related protein expression of Müller cells, and to evaluate its potential toxicity to the retina.METHODS:Müller cells were cultured in vitro and divided into two groups: control group(normal medium)and PTX group. Retinal Müller cells were treated with different concentrations of PTX(0.005, 0.05, 0.5 and 5mg/L)for varying durations(12, 24, 36, 48 and 72h). The CCK8 method was used to assess the effects of different concentrations of PTX and treatment duration on the proliferation Müller cells. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the impact of different concentrations of PTX on Müller cells apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Immunofluorescence was used to observe morphological changes in Müller cells. The effects of PTX on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and aquaporins were analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR.RESULTS: PTX exhibits the ability to inhibit the proliferation of Müller cells when cultured in vitro. The efficacy of this inhibition was found to be dependent on both the concentration of the drug and the duration of the stimulation. Higher concentrations of the drug and longer stimulation times resulted in a weaker ability of the cells to proliferate. Additionally, PTX also induces apoptosis in Müller cells, with increased drug concentrations and longer stimulation times leading to higher apoptosis rates. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrates that PTX arrests Müller cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, there is a distinct change in cell morphology, with a shift from the typical appearance characterized by clear and slender fibrous structures to a rounder morphology, accompanied by a significant decrease in cell numbers. Further, our findings reveal that there is a transient increase in the expression of cytoinflammatory factors following drug treatment compared to the control group. However, discontinuation of drug stimulation can alleviate this heightened expression. In treated cells, the expression of the CA XIV protein is upregulated compared to the control group, while the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)is downregulated(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). Additionally, the levels of inflammatory factors in the PTX group are significantly higher than those in the control group(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05), suggesting that PTX has the potential to disrupt the retinal barrier function.CONCLUSION: PTX affects the proliferation and apoptosis of Müller cells, with the effects dependent on stimulation duration and drug concentration. In addition, PTX blocks the Müller cell cycle at the G2-M phase and alters cell morphology, leading to a transient upregulation of inflammatory factors and affecting the integrity of the retinal barrier. These findings indicate the potential toxicity of the antitumor drug PTX to the retina.

CHESS endoscopic ruler in objective measurement of diameter of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension: a prospective multicenter study / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

Evaluation of left atrial function and predictive value of risk stratification in patients with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy by four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantitative analysis / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To investigate the change of left atrial volume and function in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) by four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantitative analysis (4D LAQ) and analyze the predictive value of risk stratification.Methods:A total of 60 patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from March to December 2021 were randomly enrolled, which were divided into gestational hypertension group (low risk group, n=30) and preeclampsia group (medium and high risk group, n=30) according to the disease development and risk stratification method reported in the literature; another 30 healthy pregnant women matched for age, gestational weeks and body mass index were selected as the control group. Left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAd), interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVd), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI), peak early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) velocities of mitral inflow, and e′ values on the septal and lateral mitral annulus sides were routinely measured to calculate E/A and E/e′ values. Left atrial volume and strain parameters were obtained using 4D LAQ technique, including left atrial minimum volume (LAVmin), left atrial maximum volume (LAVmax), left atrial presystolic volume (LAVpreA), left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax), left atrial inflation index (LAEI), left atrial stroke volume (LAEV), left atrial fraction (LAEF), longitudinal strain of left atrial reserve, conduit and systolic period (LASr, LAScd, LASct), circumferential strain of left atrial reserve, conduit and systolic period(LASr-c, LAScd-c, LASct-c). The differences among the three groups were compared. Multiple Logistics regression analysis was used to obtain the relevant indicators of risk stratification of HDPs and ROC curves were used for assessment. Results:Compared with the control group, E/e′, LAVmin, LAVpreA, LAScd, and LAScd-c increased, and LAEI, LAEF, LApEF, LASr, and LASr-c decreased in the gestational hypertension group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group and gestational hypertension group, LAd, IVSd, LVd, LVMI, E/e′ LAVmin, LAVmax, LAVpreA, LAVImax, LAEV, LAScd, and LAScd-c increased, and LVEF, LAEF, LAEI, LApEF, LASr, and LASr-c decreased in the preeclamptic group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results of multiple Logistics regression showed that LAVmax, LAScd-c and LASr were the indicators relevant to risk stratification of HDPs(β=0.344, 0.216 and -0.249, respectively, all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed when the cut-off value of left atrial strain parameter LASr was 30.5%, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.725, 0.58, 0.90, respectively; when the cut-off value of LAVmax was 44.5 ml, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.662, 0.80, and 0.56, respectively; and when the cut-off value of LAScd-c was -17.5%, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.706, 0.56, and 0.78, respectively. Conclusions:Left atrial remodeling occured in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders, their reserve and conduit function were impaired, and aggravated with the progress of the disease. The four-dimensional parameters LASr, LAVmax, and LAScd-c were relevant indicators for risk stratification of HDPs. In predicting the severity of HDPs, LASr has high diagnostic value and good specificity; LAVmax and LAScd-c can be considered as supplementary parameters to predict the risk stratification of HDPs.

Correlation between right atrial volume and function and liver function grading in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by four-dimensional ultrasound automatic quantitation analysis / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate right atrial (RA) volume and function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by four-dimensional automatic quantitation analysis technique, and to explore its correlation with liver function grading.Methods:Ninety patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis who were clinically confirmed in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from December 2020 to July 2021 were randomly enrolled as the research subjects. According to Child-Pugh liver function score criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: Child-Pugh A group ( n=31), Child-Pugh B group ( n=31), Child-Pugh C group ( n=28). Another 30 healthy volunteers with gender and age matched at the same period were selected as the control group. The RA maximum volume (RAVmax), RA minimum volume (RAVmin), RA presystolic volume (RAVpreA), RA maximum volume index (RAVImax), RA emptying volume (RAEV), RA ejection fraction (RAEF), RA reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains (RASr, RASr-c), RA conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains (RAScd, RAScd-c), RA contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains (RASct, RASct-c) were obtained by four-dimensional automatic quantitation analysis technique. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between the volume and strain parameters of right atrium and liver function grading, and the independent correlation factors of RASr-c were analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results:Compared with the control group, Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B groups, RAVmax, RAVmin, RAVpreA, RAVImax, and RAEV were all increased in Child-Pugh C group (all P<0.05). Compared with control group, the absolute values of RASr, RASct, RASr-c and RASct-c were increased, and the absolute values of RAScd and RAScd-c were decreased in Child-Pugh A group (all P<0.05). Compared with control group, Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B groups, the absolute values of RASr, RAScd, RASct, RASr-c, RAScd-c and RASct-c were decreased in the Child-Pugh C group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the volume and strain parameters of the right atrium were correlated with liver function grading. RASr-c was independently correlated with E/e, ALB and BNP(β=-0.543, 0.521, and -0.562 respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusions:During the compensatory stage in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, the RA functions of reservoir and contractile were increased, but the function of conduit was decreased. With the aggravation of liver cirrhosis, the RA functions of reservoir, conduit and contractile were all decreased. The four-dimensional volume and strain parameters of the right atrium were correlated with Child-Pugh liver function grading, and RASr-c was independently correlated with E/e, ALB and BNP.

Prognostic evaluating value of serum tenascin-X level in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the prognostic evaluating value of serum tenascin-X in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:The clinical data of 121 patients with STEMI in the Affiliated Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine from August 2017 to August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data were collected, the serum tenascin-X level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were followed up for 3 years, the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were identified as endpoint events. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum tenascin-X for MACE in patients with STEMI. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, the rates of non-MACE survival in patients with different serum tenascin-X levels were analyzed by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of MACE in patients with STEMI.Results:Until the end of follow-up, among 121 patients with STEMI, 42 cases (34.7%) developed MACE (MACE group), and 79 cases had not MACE (non-MACE group). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the MACE group was significantly lower than that in the non-MACE group: (47.14 ± 6.70)% vs. (52.67 ± 4.41)%, the C-reactive protein (CRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and tenascin-X were significantly higher than those in non-MACE group: (27.92 ± 8.06) mg/L vs. (8.77 ± 3.49) mg/L, (918.31 ± 315.47) μg/L vs. (220.47 ± 108.37) μg/L, (214.73 ± 80.46) μg/L vs. (81.35 ± 28.96) μg/L and (110.67 ± 42.55) μg/L vs. (65.21 ± 28.06) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of serum tenascin-X to predict the MACE in patients with STEMI was 0.806 (95% CI 0.724 to 0.872), and the optimal cut-off was 93.25 μg/L, the sensitivity was 69.0%, the specificity was 86.1%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the rate of non-MACE in 80 patients with low serum tenascin-X level (<93.25 μg/L) was significantly higher than that in 41 patients with high serum tenascin-X level (≥93.25 μg/L): 83.8% vs. 29.3%, and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 42.47, P<0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis result showed that the CRP, BNP and tenascin-X were the independent risk factors of MACE in patients with STEMI ( HR = 1.092, 1.001 and 1.018; 95% CI 1.051 to 1.135, 1.000 to 1.002 and 1.008 to 1.027; P<0.01 or <0.05). Conclusions:The significant increase in serum tendon protein X levels in patients with STEMI has predictive value for the MACE, and it is an independent predictor of MACE within 3 years.

Effects of catgut embedding and PGLA embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on skin mast cells, substance P and histamine in healthy rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of catgut embedding and polyglycolic acid/poly-lactic acid (PGLA) embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the activation of local skin mast cells (MC), and expression of substance P (SP) and histamine (HA), and to explore the mechanism of the temporal stimulation effect of acupoint catgut embedding and provide a foundation for further research on the initiation mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding.@*METHODS@#One hundred and sixty male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats), a sham-embedding group (50 rats), a catgut group (50 rats), and a PGLA group (50 rats). Each intervention group was further randomly divided into five subgroups according to the time points after intervention: 8 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, with 10 rats in each subgroup. One-time sham-embedding, catgut embedding and PGLA embedding was given at left "Zusanli" (ST 36) in each intervention group, respectively. The skin and subcutaneous connective tissue of the left "Zusanli" (ST 36) were collected at the corresponding time points after intervention, except for the blank group (only one day before intervention). Toluidine blue staining was used to detect MC count and degranulation, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of SP and HA positive cells.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in MC count between the subgroups of each intervention group and the blank group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in MC count between the subgroups of the catgut group and the PGLA group (P>0.05). The MC count in the 8-hour subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the MC count in the 21-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 21-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the degranulation rates of MC were increased in the 8-hour and 3-day subgroups of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, and 7-day subgroups of catgut group, and 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC between the subgroups of the catgut group and the PGLA group (P>0.05), and no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC between the two embedding groups at the same time point (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the expression of SP positive cells was increased in the 8-hour subgroup of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of catgut group, and 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.001, P<0.05). The expression of SP positive cells in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the expression of SP positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of catgut group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.001). The expression of SP positive cells in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05), while the expression of SP positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression of SP positive cells between the subgroups of the two embedding groups at the same time point (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the expression of HA positive cells was increased in the 8-hour, 3-day subgroups of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of catgut group, and 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression of HA positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of catgut group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the expression of HA positive cells in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05), and the expression of HA positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05). The expression of HA positive cells in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 3-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Catgut and PGLA embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in healthy rats could induce changes in local skin MC, SP, and HA, which may be one of the mechanisms of the temporal stimulation effect after acupoint embedding. There are certain differences between different suture materials. A moderate inflammatory response in the acupoint area, mediated by MC and involving SP and HA, may be one of the initiating factors for the effect of acupoint catgut embedding.

Observational study of macular capillary perfusion with branch retinal vein occlusion by using DART-OCTA / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the imaging characteristics of dense automatic real time B-scan optical coherence tomography angiography(DART-OCTA)in macular-involved branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO)and the diagnostic value of capillary perfusion imaging in the macular area.METHODS: From June 2020 to December 2020, there were 51 cases of 51 eyes with BRVO diagnosed in Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University. Imaging characteristics of the BRVO macular area were observed by fluorescein angiography(FA), optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)and DART-OCTA examination, respectively. According to the retinal capillary perfusion status, the included patients were divided into capillary and non-imaging groups, comparing the results of capillary perfusion imaging in the BRVO macular area among the three examination methods.Furthermore, quantitative analysis of capillary perfusion density in the lesion involved area and the lesion non-involved area was performed in DART-OCTA images. RESULTS: Patients with 51 eyes were included in this study, FA identified 10 eyes of capillary perfusion imaging, OCTA identified 14 eyes of capillary perfusion imaging, DART-OCTA identified 34 eyes of the capillary perfusion imaging.Comparison of the three test methods for capillary perfusion imaging findings in the BRVO macular area showed that DART-OCTA was more sensitive compared to FA and OCTA for capillary perfusion imaging in the ischemic area. In DART-OCTA examination, retinal capillary blood flow density was lower in the lesion-involved areas in both the capillary perfusion imaging group and the non-imaging groups(0.65±0.20/mm vs 1.16±0.31/mm,0.41±0.16/mm vs 1.06±0.38/mm, all P<0.0001).CONCLUSION: DART-OCTA can provide clearer tomographic imaging of retinal capillary perfusion. And the imaging with its observation of BRVO involving the macular area is least affected by macular hemorrhage and it is an important complementary method for BRVO patients with significant retinal hemorrhage.

Lifestyle for young and middle-aged stroke patients: 268 cases investigation / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the lifestyles for young and middle-aged stroke patients (aged 18 to 59). Methods From October, 2020 to March, 2021, 268 young adult stroke inpatients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital and 363 healthy controls for healthy examination were collected the basic information (gender, age, marital status and educational level). The lifestyles were investigated with questionnaire based on Activity-Interest-Opinion (AIO) scale and Health Education and Health Advocacy in China, including 26 items in five dimensions of smoking, drinking, sleep, diet and exercise (before the onset for patients). The lifestyles were compared between the two groups, and analyzed with Logistic regression. Results Frequent smoking (OR = 1.383, P = 0.048), frequent passive smoking (OR = 1.511, P < 0.001), less sleeping time (OR = 0.582, P = 0.018), staying up later (OR = 0.400, P < 0.001), irregular meal time (OR = 0.454, P < 0.001), less weekly breakfast (OR = 0.752, P = 0.012), more oil intake (OR = 0.623, P < 0.001), more barbecue and fried food intake (OR = 0.440, P < 0.001), frequent takeaway or catering (OR = 0.716, P < 0.001), more alcohol consumption (OR = 1.502, P < 0.001) and less aerobic exercise (OR = 1.540, P < 0.001) were the risk factors for stroke in young and middle-aged persons. Conclusion Adverse lifestyle affects the occurrence of stroke in young and middle-aged people.

Damage of retinal pigment epithelial cells function by paclitaxel and its potential mechanism / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the potential toxic effects of paclitaxel(PTX)on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, morphology, and blood-retinal barrier(BRB)of human retinal pigment epithelial cells(ARPE-19). <p>METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured <i>in vitro</i> and divided into two groups: Control group(Control)and drug plus group(PTX). ARPE-19 cells were treated with different concentrations of PTX(0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5mg/L)for a certain period of time(12, 24, 36, 48, 72h), and CCK8 assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of drug on proliferation and apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells at different concentrations and time points. The same time, the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Morphological changes of cells were observed by immunofluorescence. Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and barrier function-related proteins were detected by Western blot. The effect of the drug on the cell barrier was measured by measuring the transepithelial resistance of the cells. <p>RESULTS: PTX reduced the proliferation ability of ARPE-19 cells. After 36h of treatment with low concentration of 0.005mg/L paclitaxel, cell proliferation began to be affected. At the same time, PTX accelerated cell apoptosis was dependent on drug concentration and time. Flow cytometry showed that the cells were arrested in the G2-M phase. In addition, PTX causes significant morphological changes in cells, with normal cells fusiform or irregular. In the PTX group, the number of cells decreased and the cell shape tended to be round. PTX affected retinal barrier function, and the transepithelial resistance of cells was significantly decreased after treatment, and the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin were significantly decreased compared with the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The expression levels of Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax were significantly increased compared with the control group, while the expression levels of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased(<i>P</i><0.05)and was dependent on drug concentration and time. <p>CONCLUSION: PTX can affect the proliferation and apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells, and it depends on time and concentration. In addition, PTX affected the cell cycle and morphology of ARPE-19 cell. At the same time PTX can destroy the barrier function of the retina,suggesting that anti-tumor drugs have a potential toxic effect on the retina.

Application of left ventricular myocardial function in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance in the third trimester and the predictive value on perinatal adverse events / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate left ventricular myocardial work in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) in the third trimester by the non-invasive technical parameters of pressure-strain loop(PSL), and to explore its predictive value of risk of perinatal adverse events.Methods:From October 2020 to October 2021, 70 pregnant women of IGT and 50 healthy pregnant women in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were included, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT) was performed at 24-28 weeks. Then their routine obstetric examinations were followed up until one week postpartum and perinatal adverse events were recorded, such as diabetic mother-infant syndrome, macrosomia, et al. After 36 weeks of pregnancy before childbirth, echocardiography was performed and dynamic images of 3-5 cardiac cycles at apical four-chamber view, three-chamber view, and two-chamber view were recorded.Simultaneously, pressure-strain loop(PSL) curve, left ventricular global longitudinal strain(GLS), global work index(GWI), global constructive work(GCW), global wasted work(GWW) and global work efficiency(GWE) were calculated through the EchoPAC 203 workstation. Then the differences of all parameters were compared between the two groups. And a prediction model for perinatal adverse events was built by binary logistic regression, and ROC curve was used to analyze the prediction efficiencies of the prediction model and each independent influencing factor.Results:Compared with the control group, the absolute values of GLS, GWI and GCW of IGT group were lower(all P<0.05). The incidence of perinatal adverse events of the IGT group, including adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal adverse outcomes, was higher than that in the control group( P<0.05). According to logistic regression model, the GLS, GWI, GCW and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2-hPBG) were independent influencing factors for perinatal complications(all P<0.05); in addition, ROC curve anaysis showed the area under the curve of the predictive model based on the influencing factors, GLS, GWI, GWE and 2-h PBG were respectively 0.903, 0.820, 0.879, 0.854 and 0.771. Conclusions:The parameters of PSL can quantitatively assess the changes of left ventricular myocardial work in pregnancy women with IGT; and the incidence of perinatal adverse events in IGT pregnant women is higher; GWI, GCW, the models constructed based on GLS, GWI, GCW and 2-hPBG have potential values in predicting the risk of perinatal adverse events.

Value of serum pepsinogen Ⅰ, Ⅱ and gastrin-17 in screening precancerous lesions of gastric cancer in physical examination population / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To evaluate the value of serum pepsinogen Ⅰ and Ⅱ combined with gastrin-17 in screening precancerous lesions of gastric cancer in physical examination population.Methods:Serum pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) antibody were detected in 18 354 physical examination people from July to December 2017 in Wenrong Hospital, Hengdian, Dongyang. The patients were divided into youth group (18 to 39 years old), middle-aged group (40 to 59 years old) and elderly group (≥60 years old) according to their ages. The correlation between the serological level of the above indexes and age was analyzed; according to the new ABC method, the test results were divided into groups A, B, C and D. The patients in group C and D were examined by gastroscopy. The differences of gastric mucosal atrophy or intestinal metaplasia and other precancerous lesions detected by gastroscopy in different age groups were compared.Results:Finally, 18 354 cases were enrolled, including 9 614 males and 8 740 females. With the increase of age, the proportion of group C and D increased gradually. In group C, 181 cases underwent gastroscopy, including 39 cases of atrophic gastritis, 29 cases of intestinal metaplasia and 3 cases of dysplasia/intraepithelial neoplasia, the detection rate of precancerous lesions was 39.23%; in group D, 94 cases underwent gastroscopy, including 22 cases of atrophic gastritis and 13 cases of intestinal metaplasia, the detection rate of precancerous lesions was 37.23%. The proportion of gastric precancerous lesions in group C and D was 29.63% in the young group, 69.70% in the middle-aged group and 71.58% in the old group, respectively. There was significant difference compared with the young group ( P<0.01); atypical hyperplasia occurred in 2.02% and 9.47% of the middle-aged group and the elderly group. Conclusions:The combined detection of serum pepsinogen Ⅰ and Ⅱ and gastrin-17 levels is of great value in the screening of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer; when this method used for early gastric cancer screening in healthy population, it is necessary to consider the influence of age for the risk stratification of gastric cancer.

Value of autotaxin in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the value of autotaxin (an autocrine motility factor) level in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children and its correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and C-reactive protein (CRP).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 238 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted from January 2019 to December 2021. According to disease severity, they were divided into two groups: RMPP (n=82) and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP; n=156). The two groups were compared in terms of the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF to study the value of autotaxin level in serum and BALF in predicting RMPP in children, as well as the correlation of autotaxin level with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in children with RMPP.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the GMPP group, the RMPP group had significantly higher levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF (P<0.05). For the children with RMPP, the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF in the acute stage were significantly higher than those in the convalescent stage (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF had a good value in predicting RMPP in children, with an area under the curve of 0.874 (95%CI: 0.816-0.935) and 0.862 (95%CI: 0.802-0.924), respectively. The correlation analysis showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF was positively correlated with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP levels (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The level of autotaxin in serum and BALF increases and is correlated with the degree of disease recovery and inflammatory cytokines in children with RMPP. Autotaxin can be used as a predictive indicator for RMPP in children.

Changes in peripapillary vessel perfusion in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma after uncomplicated phacoemulsification / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the changes in peripapillary vessel perfusion after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery in patients with cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods:A case-control study. From November 2017 to April 2019, 17 eyes of 17 cases of POAG complicated with cataract (observation group) and 17 eyes of 17 cases of simple senile cataract (control group) were included in the study. All the affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) examination, and measurement of axial length (AL) and central corneal thickness (CCT). All eyes underwent conventional phacoemulsification surgery for cataract. After the operation, the same equipment and methods as before the operation were used for related inspections. The VD, the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the IOP were observed before the operation, at the end of the operation, and 1 d, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the operation, mean visual field defect (MD) changes 3 months after surgery. Data comparisons within groups used repeated measures analysis of variance; data comparisons between groups used independent samples t test. Results:The average age of patients in the observation group and control group was 68.18±6.13 and 65.82±6.95 years, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( t=1.912, P=0.072). There was no significant difference in AL ( t=1.436), CCT ( t=-1.557) and phacoemulsification ( t=1.602) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The difference of the mean IOP was statistically significant between the two groups ( t=4.139, P<0.05). Before surgery, the VD ( t=-6.560) and RNFL thickness ( t=-7.320) of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with before the operation, the VD around the disc of the eye in both groups increased at the end of the operation and at different time points after the operation. Among them, the observation group had a statistically significant difference at 1 month after the operation of the eye ( F=3.108, P=0.042); the control group had no significant difference at different time points after the operation ( F=1.981, P>0.05). The results of each quadrant analysis showed that only the observation group had a statistically significant difference in the temporal side of the eye one month after surgery ( F=5.414, P=0.017). After surgery, the observation group and the control group had thicker RNFL thickness around the disc of the eye, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=22.670, 23.080; P=0.002, 0.001). Before the operation and 3 months after the operation, the average MD of the eyes of the observation group and the control group were 14.90±7.15, 1.12±0.93 dB and 12.10±7.70, 0.88±0.66 dB, respectively. The average MD before and 3 months after the operation was compared, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=14.414, 13.225; P=0.000, 0.000). Compared with before surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in the average MD of the two groups of eyes at 3 months after surgery ( t=0.938, 0.817; P=0.082, 0.103). At the end of the operation, the intraocular pressure of the observation group and the control group were 10.84±3.39 and 11.46±3.79 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), respectively; they were both lower than before the operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.211, -2.310; P<0.05). Conclusions:The thickness of VD and RNFL in eyes with POAG combined with cataract is lower than that in patients with senile cataract alone. The high perfusion pressure during conventional phacoemulsification surgery can cause a transient increase in VD, but it will not cause further damage to the visual field of POAG patients.

Effect of radiation therapy and prognostic factors in hepatocellular cancer patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes metastasis / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To study the effects of radiotherapy and the prognostic factors in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes metastasis (LNM).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 56 HCC patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM who were treated with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from Jan 2010 to Aug 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received radiotherapy, EBRT group and non-EBRT group, and each group had 28 patients. Radiation fields included or excluded primary tumor in EBRT group, and the cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM did not receive any local treatment in non-EBRT group. The response rate, survival rate, local control rate, prognostic risk factors of the two groups were studied.Results:After EBRT, the partial response rate and complete response rate were 32.1%(9/28) and 32.1%(9/28). The median survival rate of EBRT group was 16.1 months (95% CI 9.00-23.21, RR=3.63) vs. 6.9 months (95% CI 4.63-8.77, RR=1.06) for the non-EBRT group, with statistically significant difference ( χ2=15.53, P<0.05). Cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes 1-year local control rate for EBRT group and non-EBRT group were 37.0% vs. 10.7%, with statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.28, P<0.05). Since diagnosis of cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM, 4 patients (14.3%) in the EBRT group vs. 13 patients (46.4%) in the non-EBRT group had higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level after 3 months compared with the AFP before EBRT ( χ2=6.84, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that multiple intrahepatic tumors, maximal diameter of intrahepatic tumors >5 cm, AFP≥400 μg/L, no EBRT were poor prognostic factors. Conclusions:EBRT can prolong overall survival and improve the control rate of lymph node of HCC patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM. Patients with multiple intrahepatic tumors, maximal diameter of intrahepatic tumors >5 cm, AFP≥400 μg/L and no EBRT have poor prognosis.

Design and application of auxiliary isolation device of cupping therapy for cross-infection prevention / 中国针灸

An auxiliary isolation device of cupping therapy for cross-infection prevention is designed to reduce the disinfection steps and be against cross transmission. This device is composed of a disposable isolation unit made of fire proof plastic material and a disposable cup-mouth fixator made of elastic material. The disposable isolation unit includes two parts, the cup neck isolation unit and the inner isolation unit of fire cup. These two parts connect with the disposable cup-mouth fixator. All of those three sections of the device are center-connected ring-like structure. This device can well prevent the direct contact of fire cup with the patient's skin surface, characterized as safety protection, simple operation and saving time and manpower.

Over- and under-treatment of lung cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#With the development and improved availability of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), an increasing number of patients are clinically diagnosed with lung cancer manifesting as ground-glass nodules. Although radical surgery is currently the mainstay of treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer, traditional anatomic lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) are not ideal for every patient. Clinically, it is critical to adopt an appropriate approach to pulmonary lobectomy, determine whether it is necessary to perform MLND, establish standard criteria to define the scope of lymph node dissection, and optimize the decision-making process. Thereby avoiding over- and under-treatment of lung cancer with surgical intervention and achieving optimal results from clinical diagnosis and treatment are important issues before us.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis on chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression treated with acupuncture / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To review systematically the effectiveness of acupuncture in treatment of chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression.@*METHODS@#From the date of database establishment to April 1, 2020, the articles on randomized controlled trials of chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression were retrieved by computer from the following databases, i.e. PubMed, Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), EMbase, cumulative index to nursing & allied health literature (CINAHL), JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and SinoMed. Using RevMan5.3, Meta-analysis was conducted. With GRADEpro GDT, the evidence quality was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#A total of 12 articles were included, 10 articles of which were analyzed by quantitative Meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the improvements in the decrease of post-chemotherapy leukocyte (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture alleviates the decrease of leukocyte, platelet, neutrophile granulocyte and erythrocyte counts and improves the survival quality of patients with chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression.

Gastrointestinal involvement of COVID-19 and potential faecal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was found initially in Wuhan, China in early December 2019. The pandemic has spread to 216 countries and regions, infecting more than 23310 000 people and causing over 800 000 deaths globally by Aug. 24, 2020, according to World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019). Fever, cough, and dyspnea are the three common symptoms of the condition, whereas the conventional transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 is through droplets entering the respiratory tract. To date, infection control measures for COVID-19 have been focusing on the involvement of the respiratory system. However, ignoring potential faecal transmission and the gastrointestinal involvement of SARS-CoV-2 may result in mistakes in attempts to control the pandemic.