Lindqvist-type Polyoxometalates Act as Anti-breast Cancer Drugs via Mitophagy-induced Apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: Lindqvist-type polyoxometalates (POMs) exhibit potential antitumor activities. This study aimed to examine the effects of Lindqvist-type POMs against breast cancer and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Using different cancer cell lines, the present study evaluated the antitumor activities of POM analogues that were modified at the body skeleton based on molybdenum-vanadium-centered negative oxygen ion polycondensations with different side strains. Cell colony formation assay, autophagy detection, mitochondrial observation, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and animal model were used to evaluate the antitumor activities of POMs against breast cancer cells and the related mechanism. RESULTS: MO-4, a Lindqvist-type POM linking a proline at its side strain, was selected for subsequent experiments due to its low half maximal inhibitory concentration in the inhibition of proliferation of breast cancer cells. It was found that MO-4 induced the apoptosis of multiple types of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, MO-4 activated intracellular mitophagy by elevating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and resulting in apoptosis. In vivo, breast tumor growth and distant metastasis were significantly reduced following MO-4 treatment. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the results of the present study demonstrated that the novel Lindqvist-type POM MO-4 may exhibit potential in the treatment of breast cancer.

Moniezia benedeni Infection Restrain IgA+, IgG+, and IgM+ Cells Residence in Sheep (Ovis aries) Small Intestine.

Secreted immunoglobulin A (SIgA), IgG, and IgM play a crucial role in forming the intestinal mucosal immune barrier, and parasites could disturb the host's immune response by releasing various immunomodulatory molecules. Moniezia benedeni is an important pathogen parasitizing in the sheep small intestine. It is aimed to explore the residence characteristics of IgA+, IgG+, and IgM+ cells in the sheep small intestine, and the influence of Moniezia benedeni infection on them. Control group (n = 6) and infected group (n = 6) were selected, respectively, and the three subtype cells residing in the small intestine were systematically observed and analyzed. The results showed that in the Control group, the three types of positive cells were all distributed diffusely, and the total densities in jejunum, duodenum and ileum was gradually declined in turn. Notably, the change trend of IgA+ and IgG+ cells densities were both congruent with the total densities, and the differences among them were significant, respectively (P < 0.05); the IgM+ cells density was the highest in duodenum, followed by jejunum and ileum, there was no significant difference between duodenum and jejunum (P > 0.05), but both significantly higher than in ileum (P < 0.05). In the Infected group, their total densities in duodenum, jejunum and ileum were gradually declined in turn. Notably, the IgA+ and IgM+ cells densities change trend was the same as the total densities, and the differences among them were significant, respectively (P < 0.05). The IgG+ cells density in duodenum was the highest, followed by ileum and jejunum and there was significantly difference among them (P < 0.05). The comparison results between Control and Infected groups showed that from the duodenum, jejunum to ileum, IgA+, IgG+, and IgM+ cells were all reduced significantly, respectively. The results suggest that the three types of positive cells were resided heterogeneously in the small intestinal mucosa, that is, significant region-specificity; Moniezia benedeni infection could not change their diffuse distribution characteristics, but strikingly, reduce their resident densities, and the forming mucosal immune barrier were significantly inhibited. It provided powerful evidence for studying on the molecular mechanism of Moniezia benedeni evasion from immune surveillance by strongly inhibiting the host's mucosal immune barrier.

Baveno VII - Renewing consensus in portal hypertension: personalized care for portal hypertension / 中华肝脏病杂志

The Baveno VII workshop held in October 2021 was featured by the subject of personalized care in portal hypertension. The workshop focused on the following 9 topics including: the relevance and indications for measuring the hepatic venous pressure gradient as a gold standard; the use of non-invasive tools for the diagnosis of compensated advanced chronic liver disease and clinically significant portal hypertension; the impact of etiological and of non-etiological therapies in the course of cirrhosis; the prevention of the first episode of decompensation; the management of the acute bleeding episode; the prevention of further decompensation; as well as the diagnosis and management of splanchnic vein thrombosis and other vascular disorders of the liver. This essay provides a compilation and summary of recommendations regarding the abovementioned topics, and presents the most recent research proceedings and the corresponding consensus to our readers.

Establishing and identification of neurovascular unit in a tri-culture model using microfluidic chip / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Objective　We established a model by using microfluidic chip that is a horizontal side by side diffusion system through microporous separating three adjacent channels in a triple-culture using neurons,astrocytes,and bEnd.3.Methods　(1)In the in vitro microphysiological system of neurovascular unit,we identified the seed density,seed time,seed sequence and seed method.(2)We adopt the repeated measures data of ANOVA to see whether there is significant difference in the viability when the three cell types are tri-cultured and separately mono-cultured.Results　(1) In the novel in vitro NVU model,the seed density of the neurons,astrocytes and bEnd.3 is 5×10

Consistency between nasopharyngeal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in pathogen detection in children with pneumonia: an analysis of 533 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the consistency between nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in pathogen detection in children with pneumonia@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of pathogens detected in 533 children with pneumonia from February 2017 to March 2020. The paired McNemar's test was used to compare the difference in pathogen detection between NPA and BALF groups. The @*RESULTS@#NPA had a sensitivity of 28%, a specificity of 74%, a positive predictive value of 14%, and a negative predictive value of 91% in detecting bacteria, and a @*CONCLUSIONS@#There is poor consistency between NPA and BALF in the detection of bacteria and viruses, and clinicians should be cautious in diagnosing lower respiratory tract infection based on bacteria or viruses detected in NPA. There is moderate consistency between NPA and BALF in the detection of

[Emission Inventory of VOCs Components in Zhengzhou and Their Ozone Formation Potential].

In this study, according to the activity levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sources and source profiles, a 2016-based inventory of the speciation emission of the VOCs was established and the ozone formation potential (OFP) were estimated in Zhengzhou. The results showed that the total VOCs emission in Zhengzhou in 2016 was 96215.3 t. The highest emission source was on-road mobile source (29.7%) followed by solvent use sources (28.1%). The species that contributed the highest emission was alkanes (29.8%) followed by aromatics (29.0%). The OFP in Zhengzhou in 2016 was 341291.0 t with the highest contributing source as on-road mobile (30.5%) followed by solvent use source (28.8%). Moreover, the light duty gasoline vehicle, use of interior wall coatings, vehicle surface coating, gas station loading and unloading, and manufacture of non-metallic mineral were the major secondary emission sources of OFP, which needed to be controlled for reducing ozone pollution in Zhengzhou. For VOCs species group, the higher contribution groups were aromatics (42.8%) and alkenes (38.9%). The sources that produced m/p-xylene, propylene, ethylene, and other species should be paid more attention.

Preparation of phenyl-boronic acid polymer monolith by initiator-free ring-opening polymerization for microextraction of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim from animal-originated foodstuffs.

Boronate affinity materials are usually used for selective enrichment of cis-diol-containing compounds, mainly based on formation of pH-dependent cyclic ester between cis-diol and boronic acid. Recently, B-N coordination, or combined with hydrogen-bonding interaction, was employed as primary interaction for the extraction of nitrogen-containing compounds. However, there are no reports about the combination of hydrophobic (or π-π) interaction and B-N coordination for the extraction. Here, we prepared a novel hydrophobic phenyl-boronic acid polymer (PBAP) through initiator-free ring-opening polymerization. The adsorption experiment indicated that the PBAP could combine hydrophobic (or π-π) interaction and B-N coordination to enhance their adsorption capacity toward hydrophobic and nitrogen-containing compounds, for example sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP). In addition, the PBAP monolith synthesized in pipette tip was used as solid phase microextraction (SPME) sorbent with combination of ultra high performance liquid chromatography to extract and monitor SMX and TMP from animal-originated foodstuffs. The proposed method exhibited low limit of quantitation as 5.0 and 1.0 ng mL-1 for SMX and TMP, respectively. The recoveries at three spiked levels were between 92.4% to 100.5% for SMX, and 92.7% to 102.6% for TMP, with intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations no more than 5.3% and 8.6%, respectively. These results well demonstrated that the combination of hydrophobic (or π-π) interaction and B-N coordination played an important role in the extraction of hydrophobic and nitrogen-containing compounds.

Comparison of therapeutic effect between PCI and CABG on multi-vessel coronary disease / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective :To compare short-term and midterm therapeutic effect between sirolimus-eluting stent implan-tation (SES-PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and multi-vessel coronary disease (MVD).Methods : Aged MVD patients undergoing selective revascularization were en-rolled and divided into CABG group (n＝301) and SES-PCI group (n＝289).Major adverse cardio-and cerebrovas-cular events (MACCE) were followed up for 30d ,one ,two and five years .Logistic multi-factor regression was used to analyze independent risk factors for different therapeutic methods .Results : Compared with CABG group after 30d follow-up ,there was significant reduction in all-cause mortality (6-3% vs.2-8%) and significant rise in a sec-ond revascularization rate (RVR ,1-3% vs.8-3%) in SES-PCI group , P＜0-05 or ＜0-01 ;compared with CABG group during one ,two and five-year follow up ,there were significant reductions in all-cause mortality [one year :(11-6% vs.4-8%) ,five years :(23-3% vs.12-1%)] and incidence rate of cerebrovascular accidents [one year :(8-6% vs .3-5%) ,five years :(18-3% vs.6-9%)] ,and significant rise in incidence rate of non-fatal myocardial infarction [one year :(6-6% vs.11-8%) ,five years :(12-0% vs.24-9%)] and a second RVR [one year :(3-0%vs.16-3%) ,five years :(9-3% vs.24-6%)] in SES-PCI group , P＜0-05 or ＜0-01- Logistic multi-factor regres-sion analysis indicated that DM and EH were independent risk factors for SES-PCI (OR＝ 45-772 ,13-218 , P＝0-001 both) ,while peripheral vascular disease was independent protective factor for SES-PCI (OR＝ 0-007 , P＝0-001).Conclusion : Compared with CABG ,there are significant reductions in short-term and midterm all-cause mortality ,and significant rise in a second RVR in MVD patients undergoing PCI .

Comparison of therapeutic effect on multi‐vessel coronary disease between minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary artery bypass grafting／ / 心血管康复医学杂志

To compare short‐and mid‐term therapeutic effect on aged patients with multi‐vessel coronary disease between minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Methods : A total of 72 patients with multi‐vessel disease , who were suitable for MIDCAB from 2016 to 2018 , were regarded as MIDCAB group .Another 96 patients with multi‐vessel disease , who were not suitable for MIDCAB , were enrolled as CABG group (received selective on‐pump CABG).Clinical data and incidence of major adverse cardio‐ and cerebrovascular events (MACCE ) within two‐year follow‐up were compared between two groups.Results : Men percentage of MIDCAB group was significantly higher than that of CABG group (83. 3% vs. 67. 7%, P＝0.022) ; compared with CABG group , there were significant reductions in percentages of left anterior descending proximal lesions (61.5% vs.34.7%) and chronic total occlusion disease (57.3% vs.34. 7%) in MID‐CAB group ( P＜0. 01 both) , there were no significant difference in other indexes between two groups , P＞ 0. 05 all.All subjects were followed up for two years , follow‐up rate was 90. 5% .There were no significant difference in incidence rates of all‐cause death and MACCE between two groups , P＞0.05 all.Conclusion : There is no signifi‐cant difference in incidence rate of short‐and mid‐term events between CABG and MIDCAB in patients with multi‐vessel coronary disease .MIDCAB is recommended for proper patients in clinic .

Protective effect of Yiqi Huoxue decoction on kidney in diabetic GK rats / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the protective effect of Yiqi Huoxue decoction on the kidney in diabetic goto-Kaizaki (GK) rats. Eight Wistar rats were used as normal control group. According to body weight and blood glucose, 16 GK rats were randomly divided into model control group and Yiqi Huoxue group, with 8 rats in each group. Drugs were administrated for 6 weeks. The rats were weighed and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured weekly; the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbALc) and 24 h metabolic rate were measured at the end of third and sixth weeks, at the same time, urine was collected to measure urinary glucose (U-GLU), urinary creatinine (U-CREA) and total proteinuria (U-TP) by biochemical method and calculate 24 h protein excretion rate (UAER). At the end of treatment, rats were sacrificed in anesthesia, and creatinin (CREA), uric acid (UA) and cholesterol (CHOL) were detected by biochemical method and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was detected by manual method with the blood drawn from heart. Both kidneys were taken and weighed to calculate the renal hypertrophy index. The kidneys were placed into neutral formalin and observed under light microscope for pathological change after Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The results showed that as compared with the normal control group, FBG, HbALc, 24 h Metabolic rate, U-GLU, UAER, serum CREA, UA and CHOL levels, as well as renal hypertrophy index were significantly increased (<0.05) in the model group, while the body weight growth rate, serum GSH-Px level were significantly reduced(<0.05); in addition, renal glomerular injury and structural changes were observed in the model group. As compared with the model group, serum GSH-Px level was significantly increased (<0.05) in the Yiqi Huoxue group, While FBG, HbALc, 24 h Metabolic rate, U-GLU, UAER, serum CREA, UA and CHOL levels, as well as renal hypertrophy index were significantly reduced (<0.05); meanwhile, renal glomerular injury and structural changes were improved in the Yiqi Huoxue group. The results showed that Yiqi Huoxue decoction can significantly increase serum GSH-Px level, reduce FBG, HbALc, 24 h metabolic rate, U-GLU, UAER, serum CREA, UA and CHOL levels, as well as renal hypertrophy index, and improve renal pathology in diabetic GK rats.

Correlation between fibrinogen level and severity of coronary stenosis in aged coronary heart disease people / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To explore correlation between fibrinogen(Fg)level and coronary stenotic degree in aged coronary heart disease(CHD)people and its possible pathogenesis.Methods:A total of 112 patients,who were >65 years and diag-nosed as CHD by coronary angiography(CAG),were selected as CHD group.Another 108 non-CHD patients hospitalized during the same period were enrolled as non-CHD group.According to CAG results,CHD group was divided into single vessel coronary disease group(n=30,single vessel group)and multi vessel coronary disease group(n= 82,multi vessel group).Serum levels of Fg,D-dimer(D-D),C reactive protein(CRP),homocysteine(Hcy)and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)were measured and compared between two groups.The correlation between serum Fg level and Gensini score was analyzed in CHD patients.Results:Compared with non-CHD group,there were significant rise in serum levels of Fg,D-D, triglyceride(TG),apolipoprotein B(ApoB),lipoprotein a,CRP,BNP and Hcy in CHD group,P=0.001 all;in CHD group,compared with single vessel group,there were significant rise in serum levels of Fg,D-D,ApoB,uric acid,lipo-protein a,CRP,BNP,Hcy,and significant reductions in serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol,ApoA1 and ApoA1/ApoB in multi vessel group,P<0.05 or <0.01. Serum Fg level was significant positively correlated with coronary stenotic degree(Gensini score),r=0.303,P=0.001. Fg was independent risk factor of CHD(OR=2.74,95% CI:1.95~3.97,P=0.001).Conclusion:Serum Fg level is significant positively correlated with coronary stenotic degree in aged CHD patients.Its mechanism of triggering atherosclerosis may be related to risk factors such as dyslipidemia,hyper-homocysteinemia and inflammations etc.

The antibiotic resistome of swine manure is significantly altered by association with the Musca domestica larvae gut microbiome.

The overuse of antibiotics as veterinary feed additives is potentially contributing to a significant reservoir of antibiotic resistance in agricultural farmlands via the application of antibiotic-contaminated manure. Vermicomposting of swine manure using housefly larvae is a promising biotechnology for waste reduction and control of antibiotic pollution. To determine how vermicomposting influences antibiotic resistance traits in swine manure, we explored the resistome and associated bacterial community dynamics during larvae gut transit over 6 days of treatment. In total, 94 out of 158 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were significantly attenuated (by 85%), while 23 were significantly enriched (3.9-fold) following vermicomposting. The manure-borne bacterial community showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, and an increase in Proteobacteria, specifically Ignatzschineria, following gut transit. ARG attenuation was significantly correlated with changes in microbial community succession, especially reduction in Clostridiales and Bacteroidales. Six genomes were assembled from the manure, vermicompost (final product) and gut samples, including Pseudomonas, Providencia, Enterococcus, Bacteroides and Alcanivorax. Transposon-linked ARGs were more abundant in gut-associated bacteria compared with those from manure and vermicompost. Further, ARG-transposon gene cassettes had a high degree of synteny between metagenomic assemblies from gut and vermicompost samples, highlighting the significant contribution of gut microbiota through horizontal gene transfer to the resistome of vermicompost. In conclusion, the larvae gut microbiome significantly influences manure-borne community succession and the antibiotic resistome during animal manure processing.

Evolution and transition of source of Patrinia Herba and Patrinia Radix / 中国中药杂志

Both Patrinia Herba and Patrinia Radix are traditional Chinese herbal medicines. The herbal source and medicinal part of them are confusing in the herbal medicine market of China. To explore the evolution and transition of the herbal source and medicinal part of Patrinia Herba and Patrinia Radix, this paper systematically summarizes the record of the herbal source and medicinal part of them in ancient classics of herbal medicine in China. According to the findings, before Ming Dynasty, Patrinia Herba originated from the radix of the plants with yellow flowers of Patrinia. In Ming and Qing Dynasty, Patrinia Herba originates from the whole plant (including the radix)of the plant with white flowers of Patrinia. In Ming Dynasty, Patrinia Radix, stemming from the radix of the plants with yellow flowers of Patrinia, started to be used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which had the same herbal source with that of Patrinia Herba before Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Patrinia Herba and Patrinia Radix can be seen as the same traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and the genuine of Patrinia Herba should be the radix and the whole herba of P. scabiosaefolia and P. heterophylla.

Study of retinal structure changes after YAG laser ablation in physiological vitreous floaters / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the structure changes of vitreous and retina after YAG laser ablation in patients with physiological vitreous floaters.METHODS: The selected 40 patients of physiological vitreous floaters,before YAG laser ablation,were checked for best corrected visual acuity,non-contact intraocular pressure,took their anterior segment photos,measured their foveola thickness(FT) and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) by OCT.The YAG laser ablation was completed by one experienced surgeon.After the YAG laser ablation,all patients were checked for non-contact intraocular pressure and gave pranoprofen eye drops tid for 3d.At 2d,1wk,1 and 3mo after the surgery,they were reviewed for best corrected visual acuity,non-contact intraocular pressure.At 3mo later anterior segment photos were taken.At 1wk,1 and 3mo after the surgery,FT and RNFL were measured again.RESULTS: The postoperative 2d,1wk,1 and 3mo,best corrected visual acuity,non-contact intraocular pressure of the patients had no significant difference with preoperative(P>0.05).The preoperative anterior segment photos showed obvious single or sheet opacity of vitreous,the postoperative 3mo photos showed that vitreous opacities decreased or disappeared,no other abnormal changes were found.The preoperative OCT data showed that FT was 214.60±9.35μm,the postoperative 1wk,1 and 3mo FT were 213.75±9.07μm,213.40±8.83μm,213.85±9.22μm.The preoperative RNFL were upper 130.26±14.23μm,lower 133.15±14.46μm,nasal 82.48±13.50μm,temporal 75.40±11.89μm;The postoperative 1wk RNFL were upper 130.02±14.02μm,lower 132.99±14.05μm,nasal 82.35±13.07μm,temporal 75.42±11.66μm.The postoperative 1mo RNFL were upper 130.28±14.43μm,lower 133.08±13.99μm,nasal 82.31±13.72μm,temporal 75.45±12.03μm.The postoperative 3mo RNFL were upper 130.43±14.30μm,lower 133.22±14.20μm,nasal 82.27±13.11μm,temporal 75.46±11.91μm.The differences of preoperative and postoperative 1wk,1 and 3mo FT and RNFL had no statistical significance (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: YAG laser ablation has no adverse effects to vitreous and retinal structure in patients with physiological vitreous floaters,it is effective and safe.

miR-211 inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines through targeting TFAM / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate the role of miR-211/TFAM in the regulation of proliferation of breast cancer cells .Methods In the present study , we transfected breast cancer cells with miR-211 mimics or miR-211 inhibitor to achieve miR-211 and detected the expression of miR-211 and the expression level of TFAM proteins in response to miR-211 overexpression or miR-211 silencing;luciferase reporter gene plasmid with or without a six base pairs mutation in the 3′UTR of TFAM ( mut-TFAM/wt-TFAM) were conducted and co-transfected with miR-211 mimics or miR-211 inhibitor, then the change of the luciferase activity was detected;then pcDNA3.1/TFAM plasmid was constructed and co-transfected with miR-211 mimics or miR-211 inhibitor, TFAM protein expression level changes were determined in response to miR-211 overexpression or miR-211 silencing; lastly the cell proliferation was determined in response to mimics NC/miR-211 mimics and pcDNA3.1/TFAM co-transfection.Results Overex-pression of miR-211 inhibits the expression of TFAM protein , miR-211 silencing promote TFAM protein expression;miR-211 can regulate the expression of TFAM by direct targeting;TFAM over expression was achieved by pcDNA3.1/TFAM transfection , and TFAM overe xpression can restore the inhibitory effect of miR-211 on TFAM;miR-211 inhibited the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells , TFAM can promote the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells;TFAM restored the inhibitory effect of miR-211 on growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells .Conclusions miR-211 regulates the growth of breast cancer cell with targeting of HMGB .

Status analysis on visual disability population in Yuzhong district of Chongqing / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To investigate the status of visual disability population in Yuzhong district of Chongqing, in order to provide a counter measure for improving their quality of life.METHODS:The data of visual disability population was analyzed, which was registered in federation of the disabled of Yuzhong district of Chongqing from January 21, 2009 to July 17, 2013, collected the information of their gender and age constituent ratio, visual disability level differences, and the differences of their disability pathogeny.RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the total numbers of male and female visual disability, and before the age of 60, the number of male was more than female, but after 60, it was opposite. The grade four of visual disability accounted for the largest proportion, followed by a level of grade one, two, and three. The main causes of visual disability in proper order were:ametropia ( high myopia) , retina and pigment membrane disease, ocular trauma, optic nerve disease, glaucoma, corneal disease, congenital anomaly or eccyliosis, cataract, amblyopia, agnogenic, methysis, trachoma, and the others ( hyperpyrexia) .CONCLUSlON: The diagnosis and treatment of juvenile in Yuzhong district must be strengthened, also include retina and pigment membrane disease, to reduce the visual disability caused by these diseases.

Vitamin D receptor gene and aggrecan gene polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration - a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A series of studies have been conducted to evaluate the associations between vitamin D receptor (VDR) and aggrecan variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), but produced conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: we performed a meta-analysis to address a more accurate estimation of the associations between the above gene polymorphisms and the risk of IDD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all the relevant studies. The fixed or random effect model was selected based on the heterogeneity test among studies evaluated using the I(2). Publication bias was estimated using Begg's funnel plots and Egger's regression test. RESULTS: A total of 9, 5, 3, and 7 studies were finally included in the analyses for the associations between the VDR TaqI (rs731236), FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232), or aggrecan VNTR polymorphisms and the risk of IDD, respectively. The combined results showed that none of the VDR (TaqI, FokI, ApaI) polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of IDD. In contrast, the alleles with shorter VNTR length was found to significantly increase the risk of IDD (≦25 vs. >25: OR = 1.850, 95%CI 1.477-2.318; ≦23 vs. >23: OR = 1.955, 95%CI 1.41-2.703). Subgroup analysis confirmed the above results. After excluding studies deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in controls, no other studies were found to significantly influence the pooled effects in each genetic model. No potential publication bias was detected. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggested that the alleles with shorter VNTR length significantly increased the risk of IDD, while the VDR (TaqI, FokI, ApaI) gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the risk of IDD. Since potential confounders could not be ruled out completely, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Safety evaluation and quality control of MSCs from hepatitis B patient in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To get mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from hepatitis B patient and to valuate the safety and quality after long-term culture in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cells obtained directly from bone marrow and cultured in Mesen Pro medium supplemented with FGF, and the morphology of MSCs was observed. Surface antigens of the MSCs were analyzed by flow-cytometry. The bacteria, virus, endotoxin and residual serum of cell suspension were detected. The MSCs and perpheral blood T lymphocytes were co-cultured in 48 well plates for 72 h and the T lymphocyte proliferation was measured by using MTT reduction method and the effect of MSCs on T lymphocyte transformation stimulated by PHA was also observed. The oncogenicity of MSCs was verified by the tumorigenesis test in sofo agar. The genetic stability of MSCs was examined by karyotype analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The MSCs from hepatitis B patient could be passaged to many generations and had strong abilities of proliferation. They expressed stem cell-surface antigens and maintained normal karyotype, prevented the pollution of bacteria and viruses, inhibited the immune response of allogenic T lymphocytes and no oncogenicity found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The MSCs have proliferative potentials, can be passaged in long-term cultures in Mesen Pro medium without oncogenicity, can maintain normal karyotype, can inhibit the immune response of T lymphocytes and can alleviate the grafe-versus diseases. The MSCs can be served as a new type of cells in cell and gene therapy.</p>

Three preparations of compound Chinese herbal medicines for de-adaptation to high altitude: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

Background: With the increase of troops entering the plateau for a variety of missions, the occurrence of de-adaptation increased significantly when the army returned to the plains, however, until now, there has been no effective treatment for de-adaptation to high altitude. Objective: To observe the interventional effects of compound Chinese herbal preparations (Sankang Capsule, Rhodiola Rosea Capsule and Shenqi Pollen Capsule) on de-adaptation to high altitude, and provide scientific evidence for appropriate treatment methods in the army health care for future missions. Design, setting, participants and interventions: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial design was used. Soldiers of a returning army unit who exhibited de-adaptation response symptoms were selected for observation after participating in earthquake relief at high altitude. A total of 543 soldiers were divided into a Sankang Capsule group, a Rhodiola Rosea Capsule group, a Shenqi Pollen Capsule group and a placebo group for drug intervention and administered with corresponding drugs. The course of treatment was 15 days. A self-evaluation scale for de-adaptation to high altitude was used to measure the signs and symptoms exhibited by the soldiers. Main outcome measures: Effective rate of signs and symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude was analyzed after a 15-day treatment and the differences of improvement rate of symptoms between groups were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the drugs. Results: All three drugs improved the symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude. Compared with the placebo group, symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude in the drug-treated groups were remitted (P<0.05). Compared with placebo, Sankang Capsule mainly had well-marked effects on dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, cough, sputum and sore throat (P<0.05); Rhodiola Rosea Capsule significantly reduced the symptoms of fatigue, drowsiness, chest tightness, palpitations, vertigo, lack of attention and memory loss (P<0.05); Shenqi Pollen Capsule significantly reduced the symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, weakness, chest tightness, palpitations, cough, sputum, sore throat, memory loss, unresponsiveness and limb numbness (P<0.05). The symptom improvement rate of Shenqi Pollen Capsule was significantly higher than those of the other two drugs. Conclusion: All the three drugs played an evident role in ameliorating symptoms of de-adaptation, and the use of Shenqi Pollen Capsule was more effective than Rhodiola Rosea Capsule and Sankang Capsule.

Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture for treatment of sudden hearing loss / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture for treatment of sudden hearing loss and to compare with western medicine therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Xiaxi (GB 43), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. and the medication group with intravenous dripping of 6% low molecule dextran 500 mL with ATP and coenzyme A, and oral administration of Nimodipine, Gold Theragan. Whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment and their therapeutic effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 86.7 in the electroacupuncture group and 60.0% in the medication group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), the former being better than the latter; there were significant differences in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), and with no significant difference in the medication group (P>0.05) before and after treatment, and with a significant difference in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity and fibrinogen between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect on sudden hearing loss, which is better than that of the medication, and the mechanism is possibly related with regulative action on indexes of blood rheology.</p>