The impact of health related quality of life for children and adolescents aged 8-15 years in Nanjing / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection and health related behaviors on the health related quality of life of children and adolescents aged 8-15 years in Nanjing, so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving HRQoL in children and adolescents.@*Methods@#From December 2022 to January 2023, a total of 2 398 students aged 8-15 years from the third grade of primary school to junior middle school in Nanjing were selected by multistage random cluster sampling. The 3 level EuroQol 5 dimension Questionnaire Youth Vension (EQ-5D-Y-3L) was completed by the respondents on their own, and the parents assisted in completing the rest of the questionnaire.@*Results@#The EuroQol-index(EQ-index) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of being infected individuals were lower than those of uninfected and previously infected ( P <0.05). The proportion of being infected individuals reporting difficulty on "Pain/Discomfort" was higher than that of uninfected and previously infected individuals, and the proportion of reporting difficulty on "Mobility" was also higher than that of uninfected individuals ( P <0.05). Lack of parental companionship( OR=10.19, 95%CI =3.12-33.22), irregular breakfast consumption ( OR=10.63, 95%CI =3.20-35.25), and excessive screen time ( OR=8.24, 95%CI =3.02-22.51) increased the risk of difficulty on "Mobility" in being infected individuals ( P <0.05). Irregular breakfast consumption ( OR=1.93, 95%CI =1.31-2.84) and consumption of sweetened beverages and snacks (OR=1.56, 95%CI =1.17-2.10) increased the risk of having lower EQ index in previously infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals. Furthermore, consumption of sweetened beverages and snacks ( OR=1.57, 95%CI =1.21-2.05) and excessive screen time ( OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.12-1.98) also increased the risk of VAS scores being lower in previously infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 infection impairs HRQoL, and unhealthy behaviors deteriorate its negative impact. Healthy behaviors and lifestyles should be advocated to reduce the impact of COVID-19 infection on HRQoL.

Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic characteristics of acanthosis nigricans / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic characteristics of acanthosis nigricans, and to assess the value of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the auxiliary diagnosis of acanthosis nigricans.Methods:A total of 63 patients with acanthosis nigricans were collected from Department of Dermatology, the Third People′s Hospital of Hangzhou from January 2018 to December 2019, and 5 healthy individuals served as controls. Two lesions on the neck and axilla were examined with dermoscopy and RCM separately in each patient. Biopsies were carried out at the sites evaluated by dermoscopy and RCM in 3 patients, followed by routine histopathological examination.Results:Dermoscopy showed papilloma-like hyperplasia in 126 (100%) lesions, "fat finger" structures in 119 (94.4%) , and "gully" structures in 120 (95.2%) . RCM showed hyperpigmentation in the basal layers, downward extension and twisting of dermal papillary rings and "gully" structures in 126 (100%) lesions, moderately to highly refractive particles in the dermal papillary rings in 87 (69.0%) .Conclusion:Acanthosis nigricans has typical dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic characteristics, which can provide a basis for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

A novel prognostic index in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: fibrinogen/prealbumin ratio

ABSTRACT Background: Fibrinogen (Fib) to albumin (ALB) fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio as a prognostic index for esophageal cancer has been confirmed. A novel prognostic index was initially proposed with fibrinogen to prealbumin ratio (FPR) in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Objective: The objective of the study was to study the prognostic role of the novel prognostic index (FPR) in patients with resectable ESCC without any neoadjuvant treatment. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 372 resectable ESCC patients without any neoadjuvant treatment were included. The best cutoff values were selected by the receiver operating characteristic curves. Two Cox regression analyses with forward stepwise (one for categorical variables and the other for continuous variables) were used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: The best cutoff point was 0.014 for FPR. Patients with lower levels of FPR (≤0.014) had better CSS (50.7% vs. 18.0%, p < 0.001) and OS (48.0% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.001) than patients with higher levels of FPR (> 0.014). Multivariate Cox analyses (categorical and continuous) demonstrated that FPR was an independent prognostic factor in CSS (categorical: hazard ratio [HR]: 2.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.504-2.697, p < 0.001; continuous per 0.01: HR: 1.438, 95% CI: 1.154-1.793, p = 0.001) and OS (categorical: HR: 1.964, 95% CI: 1.475-2.617, p < 0.001; continuous per 0.01: HR: 1.429, 95% CI: 1.146-1.781, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our study indicated that FPR served as an independent prognostic factor in patients with resectable ESCC.

Clinical features and follow-up results of boys and girls with systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparative analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical features and follow-up results of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) between boys and girls.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 79 children (18 boys and 61 girls), aged ≤14 years, who were diagnosed with SLE from 2008 to 2018. The boys and the girls were compared in terms of initial and major clinical symptoms, injury of organs/systems, related laboratory markers, and follow-up results.@*RESULTS@#As for the initial and non-initial symptoms, fever had the highest incidence rate in the boys, while facial erythema had the highest incidence rate in the girls. The boys tended to develop renal injury and hematological damage (P80%) of anti-nuclear antibody, dsDNA, complement C3, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in both boys and girls (P>0.05). The boys had a significantly higher disease activity than the girls at the first visit and in year 9 of follow-up (P<0.05). A one-month to ten-year follow-up showed that among the boys, 3 were lost to follow-up, 1 died, 7 were well controlled but required oral administration of large doses of hormones or immunosuppression, 2 progressed to chronic renal failure, and 1 developed lupus encephalopathy. Among the girls, 3 were lost to follow-up; 5 died; 34 were well controlled, among whom 5 were maintained on oral prednisone acetate with a dose of <10 mg, 1 was withdrawn from the drug for 1 year, and 2 were withdrawn from the drug for 2 years; 4 developed lupus encephalopathy; 1 developed depression and anxiety and had suicidal tendency in the 7th year after disease onset; 2 experienced impaired vision, blurred vision, and chloropsia; 1 developed a vascular necrosis of both femoral heads in the 3rd year of hormone administration.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are differences in clinical features, several laboratory markers, and prognosis between boys and girls with SLE. Boys tend to have a high severity at disease onset, develop renal injury and hematological damage, and have poor long-term prognosis, while girls tend to have joint involvement.

Simultaneous determination of 8 bioactive isoflavonoids in Astragali Radix by UHPLC equipped with core-shell column / 中国中药杂志

This research aims to develop an UHPLC method, based on core-shell column(i.e. superficially porous particles), for simultaneous determination of eight isoflavonoids including formononetin,(6αR,11αR)-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,(3R)-7,2-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyisoflavone, calycosin, ononin,(6αR,11αR)-9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and(3R)-7,2-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside in Astragali Radix. The analysis was performed on an Agilent Poroshell EC-C_(18 )column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm) with 0.2% formic acid solution(A)-acetonitrile(B) as mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.5 mL·min~(-1), with column temperature of 40 ℃ and the wavelengths were set at 260 and 280 nm. According to the results, all calibration curves showed good linearity(R~2>0.999 8) within the tested concentration ranges. Both the intra-and inter-day precisions for 8 isoflavonoids were less than 0.80%, with the mean recovery at the range of 94.71%-104.6%. Thus, the newly developed UHPLC method using core-shell column owned the advantages in terms of rapid analysis, low column pressure and less solvent consumption, thus enabling the usage of conventional HPLC systems. Meanwhile, quantitative evaluation was carried out for 22 batches of commercial Astragali Radix. It has been found that great variations occurred for the content of the individual isoflavonoids among different batches; in contrast, the total content of total 8 isoflavonoids(>0.1%) was stable in most samples, indicating that it was reasonable to involve all isoflavonoids as the chemical markers for the quality control of Astragali Radix.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation induced by glucocorticoids: an important issue requiring urgent attention in dermatology / 中华皮肤科杂志

There is a high incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in China,and dermatologists often encounter patients with skin diseases complicated by HBV infection in clinic.With the widespread use of systemic glucocorticoids in dermatology,HBV reactivation has become a constant problem to face in the treatment process.Attention should be given to risk factors of HBV reactivation,including HBV DNA replication,positive hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) and positive hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb).According to HBV serological markers,risk stratification of HBV reactivation induced by glucocorticoids needs to be grasped,and treatment measures should be taken timely to prevent HBV reactivation.In this way,liver function impairment induced by HBV reactivation during the course of glucocorticoid therapy may be avoided to the greatest extent,which is of great benefit to clinical work.

Combined use of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dexamethasone promotes osteogenic differentiation of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells from human temporomandibular joint / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells can be amplified rapidly in vitro and collected by a minimally invasive method. Recent studies have suggested that synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells have become an important kind of seed cells for bone tissue engineering. Osteogenic differentiation is required to be optimized prior to the application of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells in the bone regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To describe a protocol to generate osteoblast-lineage cells from human synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells of the temporomandibular joint using a cocktail that includes glutamax, dexamethasone, β-glycerophosphate, vitamin C, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and to investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dexamethasone on the osteogenic capacity of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells from the human temporomandibular joint were expanded in vitro and cultured in different osteogenic induction media. The mineralization capacity of osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alizarin red and Von kossa staining. And the osteogenic markers, including ALP, RUNX2 and OCN, were assessed by reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mineralization formation increased greatly in the medium with 100 nmol/L dexamethasone and 10 nmol/L 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The expression of ALP, RUNX2 and OCN was enhanced distinctly in the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced differentiated cells. These findings reveal that appropriate concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dexamethasone can be ideal ingredients to induce the osteogenic differentiation of human synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells of the temporomandibular joint. Thus, this effective condition can be used to induce the osteogenic differentiation of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells for the bone regeneration in the temporomandibular joint.

Clinicopathological characteristics of infectious granulomas: an analysis of 39 cases / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective To analyze the clinocopathological characteristics of infectious granulomas.Methods The clinical features,histopathological manifestations of 39 patients with infectious granulomas were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among 39 cases of infectious granulomas,there were 15 males and 24 females,and 17 cases of fungal granuloma and 22 cases of tuberculous granuloma.There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between fungal granulomas and tuberculous granulomas.The mean course of tuberculous granuloma aud tuberculous granuloma was (0.88 ± 0.67) years and (5.54 ± 3.49) years,respectively (t =4.51,P =0.00);there was no significant difference in mean age of onset in fungal granuloma patients and tuberculous granuloma patients [(54.6 ± 19.6) vs.(47.6 ± 18.1) years,P ＞0.05)].There were 4 and 18 cases of fungal and tuberculous granulomatosis at the face,and 13 and 3 cases at the extremities (all P =0.00);the lesions occurred in the trunk in one case of tuberculous granuloma.The clinical manifestations of fungal and tuberculous granulomas as plaques/nodules were in 14 cases aud 22 cases (P =0.08);as ulcers and pus exudates were in 10 and 2 cases,respectively (P =0.00).The histopathological features showed epidermal hyperplasia in 12 and 4 cases,infiltrative patterns in 4 and 21 cases,infiltration of neutrophils in 14 and 3 cases,infiltration of plasma cells in 15 and 5 cases,infiltration of eosinophils in 10 and 0 cases,necrosis in 1 and 10 cases in fungal granulomas and tuberculous granulomas,respectively (P =0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.01).Conclusion Fungal granuloma and tuberculous granuloma are different in the lesion sites,clinical manifestations and histopathological features.

Effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation on the autophagy of cultured human melanocytes in vitro / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of narrow-band ultraviolet (NB-UVB) radiation on the autophagy of cultured human melanocytes in vitro,and to explore possible mechanisms underlying the treatment of vitiligo by NB-UVB.Methods In vitro cultured human melanocytes were divided into 4 groups to be irradiated with NB-UVB at different irradiation doses of 0 (control group),50,100 and 200 mJ/cm2 (50-,100-and 200-mJ/cm2 NB-UVB groups) respectively.After 24-hour treatment,the cells were collected,and monodansylcadaverin (MDC) staining was conducted to detect changes of autophagosomes in melanocytes.Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of autophagy signals including phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK),phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR),microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ) and P62,and transmission electron microscopy to observe ultrastructural changes of autophagosomes and melanosomes in the melanocytes.Statistical analysis was done by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the comparison of Western blot results,and by Kruskal-Wallis H test for the comparison of the number of melanosomes,autophagosomes and autolysosomes.Results MDC staining showed that the percentages of autophagosome-positive melanocytes were significantly higher in the 100-,200-mJ/cm2 NB-UVB groups (38.08％ ± 4.10％,40.23％ ± 1.45％,respectively) than in the control group (21.83％ ± 3.50％,both P ＜ 0.05) and 50 mJ/cm2 NB-UVB group (23.66％ ± 4.12％,both P ＜ 0.05).As Western blot analysis revealed,the 100-,200-mJ/cm2 NB-UVB groups showed significantly increased expression of p-AMPK and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,but significantly decreased expression of p-mTOR and P62 compared with the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was significantly higher in the 100-,200-mJ/cm2 NB-UVB groups (5.12 ± 1.13,5.25 ± 1.04) than in the control group (1.88 ± 1.18,both P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the number of melanosomes was significantly higher in the 50-,100-and 200-mJ/cm2 NB-UVB groups (39.12 ± 9.42,57.38 ± 7.11,59.75 ± 15.15,all P ＜ 0.05) than in the control group (18.50 ± 4.18,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion NB-UVB radiation can not only promote the formation of melanosomes,but also activate the autophagy signal pathways in the melanocytes and promote the formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes,which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the treatment of vitiligo by NB-UVB.

Clinical analysis of 38 cases of steroid-induced diabetes mellitus due to glucocorticoid treatment / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate risk factors for and clinical features of steroid-induced diabetes mellitus due to glucocorticoid treatment.Methods Clinical data were collected from 798 patients who received systemic glucocorticoid treatment in Department of Dermatology of Hangzhou Third People's Hospital from 2013 to 2016,and analyzed retrospectively.Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (SDM),repeatedmeasures analysis of variance to compare peripheral blood glucose levels of patients with SDM after breakfast,lunch and dinner,and t test to compare the levels of fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 c) between patients with SDM and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Results Of the 798 patients,38 developed SDM due to glucocorticoid treatment.The average age was significantly older in the patients with SDM ([66.86 ± 13.30] years,n =38) than in those without SDM ([39.95 ± 17.01] years,n =760;t =8.86,P ＜ 0.01),but there was no significant difference in the gender ratio between the patients with and thhose without SDM (x2 =1.61,P =0.20).The prevalence of fatty liver,hyperlipidemia,hypertension,abnormal liver function and family history of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the patients with SDM than in those without SDM (x2 =12.25,19.25,32.69,21.47,16.70 respectively,all P ＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that age,fatty liver,hyperlipidemia,hypertension,abnormal liver function,dosage of glucocorticoids,duration of glucocorticoid therapy,use of immunosuppressive agents and family history of diabetes mellitus were risk factors for SDM (all P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels or postprandial peripheral blood glucose levels among the SDM patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy at different dosages of 0.50-0.74,0.75-0.99,1.00-1.25 mg·kg-1· d-1 (P ＞ 0.05).The peripheral blood glucose levels after breakfast,lunch and dinner were (11.50 ± 2.90),(16.02 ± 5.81) and (16.81 ± 4.52) mmol/L respectively in the patients with SDM.The levels of fasting blood glucose and glycosylated HbA 1 c were both significantly lower in the patients with SDM than in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (t =3.74,9.92 respectively,both P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions The risk factors for SDM are age,dosage of glucocorticoids,duration of glucocorticoid therapy,fatty liver,hyperlipidemia,hypertension,abnormal liver function,use of immunosuppressive agents and family history of diabetes mellitus.The patients with SDM showed obviously elevated blood glucose levels mostly after lunch and dinner,but slightly increased levels of fasting blood glucose and glycosylated HbA 1c,which can be used to distinguish between SDM and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Application of Zebrafish Model in TCM Screening in Cardiovascular Diseases and Mechanism Research / 中国中医药信息杂志

Zebrafish is one of the important model vertebrates in the study of life science at present. It has similar physiological and biochemical characteristics to mammals, and has the advantages of high efficiency, rapidness and largescale. TCM has complex active ingredients and various targets, so the application of zebrafish model in TCM research is increasingly wide. This article reviewed the application status of zebrafish model in TCM screening cardiovascular diseases and mechanism research from the aspects of angiogenesis, myocardial injury, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular toxicity.

Application of three-dimensional finite element method in different dental restorations / 口腔疾病防治

@#Three-dimensional finite elemennt method (3-D FEM) is an approach to simulate the intraoral environment by fabricating virtual model in computer software, to provide various options of restorations according to the requirements of study, and finally to give relevant mechanic data for clinical reference by stress analysis. 3-D FEM has been applied in stomatological research more and more widely in recent years. This review has summarized the applications of 3-D FEM in various kinds of dental restorations.

Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on ultraviolet B-induced transfer and degradation of melanosomes in mice / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin pigmentation,transfer and degradation of melanosomes in mice,and to explore the role of autophagy in the mechanism of melanosome degradation.Methods A total of 32 ears from 16 female C57/BL6 mice were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups:acetone control group topically treated with acetone solution daily,EGCG group topically treated with 10 g/L EGCG acetone solution daily,UVB irradiation group irradiated with 500 mJ/cm2 UVB once a day and 2 hours later topically treated with acetone solution,UVB + EGCG group irradiated with 500 mJ/cm2 UVB once a day and 2 hours later topically treated with EGCG acetone solution.Ten days later,all the mice were sacrificed,and skin tissue samples were collected from the ears.Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe ultrastructural changes of melanosomes and autophagosomes,immunohistochemical study to measure expression of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) in the epidermis,and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of PAR2,Rasrelated protein Rab27a and LC3 in the epidermis.Results There was a significant difference in the number of melanosomes and autophagosomes among the acetone control group,EGCG group,UVB irradiation group and UVB + EGCG group (H =12.249,13.888,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the acetone control group,the UVB irradiation group showed significantly increased number of melanosomes (1.85 ± 0.32 vs.1.00 ± 0.41,P ＜ 0.05)and autophagosomes (1.94 ± 0.64 vs.1.00 ± 0.46,P ＜ 0.05) in epidermal keratinocytes in mouse skin.Compared with the UVB irradiation group,the UVB + EGCG group showed significantly decreased number of melanosomes (1.30 ± 0.44,P ＜ 0.05),but significantly increased number of autophagosomes (3.03 ± 0.75,P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical study showed a significant difference in the level of PAR2 in the epidermis among the 4 groups (H =18.700,P ＜ 0.05),and the expression of PAR2 was significantly lower in the UVB + EGCG group than in the UVB irradiation group (7.94 ± 4.57 vs.12.54 ± 3.07,Z =2.143,P ＜ 0.05).However,the 4 groups all showed a low level of LC3,and there was no significant difference among the 4 groups (H =5.051,P ＞ 0.05).Western blot analysis revealed significant differences in the protein expression of PAR2 and Rab27a,as well as in the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio,among the 4 groups (F =18.739,25.967,24.022,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the UVB irradiation group,the UVB + EGCG group showed significantly decreased expression of PAR2 (0.91 ± 0.54 vs.3.12 ± 0.61,P ＜ 0.05) and Rab27a (0.99 ± 0.16 vs.1.42 ± 0.07,P ＜ 0.05),but significantly increased LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio (1.67 ± 0.08 vs.1.24 ± 0.07,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Topical EGCG treatment can effectively suppress UVB-induced skin pigmentation,which may be related to the inhibition of melanosome transfer and promotion of melanosome autophagy.

Effect of Comprehensive Protocol of Integrative Medicine on Motor Function, Activity of Daily Living and Quality of Life in Hemiplegia Patients after Stroke / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of integrative medicine (IM) rehabilitation protocolon motor function, activity of daily living, and quality of life (QOL) in hemiplegia patients after stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 120 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were allocated to four groups using sealed envalope drawing, i.e., the rehabilitation group, the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the comprehensive rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each group. Based on routine rehabilitative training, patients in the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the compre-hensive rehabilitation group received standardized treatment based on syndrome typing, Shi's Consciousness-Restoring Resuscitation acupuncture, Chinese herbs + acupuncture comprehensive rehabilitatino protocol, respectively. The treatmet cycle consisted of 4 weeks with 24-week follow-ups. Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale(SS-QQL), and safety assessment were taken as main effect indices before treatment, at week 4 of treatment, at week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no statistical difference in FMA score, MBI score, SS-QOL score among the four groups before treatment (P > 0.05). These scores were significantly improved in the four groups at week 4 of treatment, week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, FMA score and SS-QOL score were significantly improved in the comprehensive rehabilitation group at each corresponding time point, as compared with other treatment groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The comprehensive protocol could significantly improve motor function, activity of daily living in hemiplegia patients after stroke, and further improve their QOL. Its effect was better than other single treatment.</p>

Parathyroid hormone inhibits the apoptosis of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells through a non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the non-PLC-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) pathway of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the apoptosis and proliferation of osteoblast MC-3T3E1 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MC-3T3E1 cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the density of 1.5×10(4) cells/mL and incubated for 3 day. The cells were then exposed to 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-28), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34), 100 nmol/L of [Gly(1), Arg(19)]hPTH(1-34)+1 µmol/L Go6983, 1 µmol/L Go6983, or deionized water (control) for 1, 24 or 48 h. After the treatments, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Caspase-Glo® 3/7 Assay (Caspase-3) were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CCK-8 results showed that hPTH(1-34) increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983 at 1 h and 24 h, but this difference was not statistically different. At 48 h, treatment with hPTH(1-34), as compared with hPTH(1-28), significantly increased the number of MC3T3-E1 cells (P<0.05), and this effect was blocked by the PKC inhibitor Go6983 (P<0.05). hPTH(1-34) did not result in significant inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis at 1 h and 24 h as compared with hPTH(1-34)+Go6983, but significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis as compared with hPTH(1-28) (P<0.05); this inhibitory effect was blocked by Go6983 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>s A relatively long time (for 48 h) of exposure to PTH can inhibit apoptosis and promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1cells through a non-PLC-dependent PKC pathway.</p>

Upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 on T cells in PBMCs is associated with disease aggravation of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Immune-mediated inflammatory injury is an important feature of the disease aggravation of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown previously to play a pivotal role in the activation of innate immunity. The purpose of this study was to characterize the TLR4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ACLF patients and its possible role in the disease aggravation. Twelve healthy subjects, 15 chronic HBV-infected (CHB) patients and 15 ACLF patients were enrolled in this study. The TLR4 expression in PBMCs and T cells of all subjects was examined by real-time PCR and flow cytometry. The correlation of TLR4 expression on T cells with the markers of disease aggravation was evaluated in ACLF patients. The ability of TLR4 ligands stimulation to induce inflammatory cytokine production in ACLF patients was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that TLR4 mRNA level was upregulated in PBMCs of ACLF patients compared to that in the healthy subjects and the CHB patients. Specifically, the expression of TLR4 on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells of PBMCs was significantly increased in ACLF patients. The TLR4 levels on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were positively correlated with serum total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), international normalized ratio (INR) levels and white blood cells (WBCs), and negatively correlated with serum albumin (ALB) levels in the HBV-infected patients, indicating TLR4 pathway may play a role in the disease aggravation of ACLF. In vitro TLR4 ligand stimulation on PBMCs of ACLF patients induced a strong TNF-α production by CD4(+) T cells, which was also positively correlated with the serum markers for liver injury severity. It was concluded that TLR4 expression is upregulated on T cells in PBMCs, which is associated with the aggravation of ACLF.

Study on effect of tetramethylpyrazine on proliferation and apoptosis of leukemic U937 cells and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the proliferation and apoptosis of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on leukemic U937 cells and its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The inhibitory effect of TMP on the proliferation of U937 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cell apoptosis and cycle distribution were examined by the flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and P27 were determined by the Real-time PCR. Western blot was carried out to detect bcl-2, caspase-3, cyclin E1, CDK2 and P27 expressions.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>TMP inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-and-time dependent manner, with IC50 value of 160 mg x L(-1) at 48 h. In addition, TMP could induce the apoptosis of U937 cells and block the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. According to the results of Real-time PCR and Western blot, TMP could down-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related molecule bcl-2, cycle-related protein cyclin E1 and CDK2 and up-regulate caspase-3 and P27.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TMP shows the effects in inhibiting the proliferation of leukemic U937 cells and inducing the apoptosis. Its mechanism may be related to the impacts on the cell cycle distribution, down-regulation of the bcl-2 expression, which finally activates caspase-3, starts the apoptosis path and causes the cell apoptosis.</p>

Structural characterization and identification of major constituents in radix scrophulariae by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To analyze the major constituents in Radix Scrophulariae (Scrophularia ningpoensis).@*METHOD@#Radix Scrophulariae was analyzed by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS). Compounds were separated by HPLC using a C18 column and gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1 % (V/V) acetic acid-water. Negative ion mode was employed.@*RESULTS@#A total of thirty-six compounds, including fourteen iridoid glycosides, nineteen phenylpropanoid glycosides, and three organic acids, were identified from Radix Scrophulariae based on the accurate mass measurement of precursor and product ions. Twenty-one of the constituents were identified by comparing their retention times (tR) and ESI-MS/MS data with those of reference standards and/or previous publications, while another fifteen compounds were tentatively identified or deduced according to their Q-TOF MS/MS data which afforded sufficient structural information.@*CONCLUSION@#It is believed that this study is useful for the identification of constituents in Radix Scrophulariae, as well as related plants and complex prescriptions.

Study on the change and outcome of fasting plasma glucose in elderly people with impaired fasting glucose / 上海预防医学

To study the changes and outcome of fasting plasma glucose and its influ-encing factors in elderly people with impaired fasting glucose ( IFG) . [ Methods] The subjects were a-bove 40 years old and their FPG values were between 6.1 -6.9 mmol/L.The FPG,TC,TG,HDL-C, LDL,height,weight,waist circumference ,hip circumference of the subjects were measured 2 times.A ques-tionnaire about life style and cognition about diabetes was conducted in 2012 among the subjects . [ Results] The IFG subjects were under continuous observation for 2 years.Their overall level of IFG was increased , which was found to be statistically significant .Those diagnosed with diabetes accounted for 9 .85%of the total .Logistic Regression Analysis showed that BMI was the risk factor for IFG subjects in the rise of FPG. [Conclusion] On the whole, for IFG people of 40 or above, overall FGP value was on a growth trend during the past 2 years.The influencing factor is thought to be BMI .

Dynamic changes in serum neuron-specific enolase levels in neonates / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the postnatal changes in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level in neonates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty full-term infants and 30 preterm infants without a history of asphyxia or neurological disease born over the same period were enrolled. The 30 preterm infants consisted of 15 late preterm births and 15 early preterm births. Serum NSE levels were determined using electrochemical immunosensor array on postnatal days 1, 3 and 7. Ten healthy adults volunteered as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum NSE levels in neonates of the full-term group and two preterm groups gradually decreased with increasing birth age (P<0.01). All the three groups of neonates had significantly higher serum NSE levels on postnatal days 1, 3, and 7 than the healthy adult group (P<0.01). The early preterm group had significantly higher serum NSE levels than the full-term group on postnatal days 1, 3, and 7 (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Serum NSE level in neonates during early postnatal days is related to gestational and birth ages and higher than the normal adult level. The reference value for normal serum NSE level in neonates should be determined according to gestational and birth ages, rather than the normal adult level.</p>