Artesunate Combined with Other Medications and Action Mechanism： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

A sesquiterpene natural substance called artemisinin was discovered in Artemisia annua. One of its derivatives， artesunate （ART）， has the properties of economy， immediate effect， low toxicity， and good tolerance. Since it has a quick and powerful killing effect on plasmodium in the erythrocyte phase and can quickly handle clinical seizure and symptoms， it is currently mostly utilized to treat cerebral malaria and other severe instances of malaria. In addition， it has antitumor， antivirus， anti-hepatic fibrosis， anti-inflammatory， antibacterial， hepatocyte protection， immunological modulation， and other pharmacological properties and can inhibit cell proliferation， induce cell apoptosis， and reduce the incidence of sepsis. In many countries， artemisinin-based combination therapies （ACTs）， such as artemether-benflumetol， artesunate-amodiaquine， and artemether-lumefantrine， are the first-line treatments for malaria. Recent research on artesunate by Chinese and international scholars has revealed that compared with monotherapy， artesunate combination therapy offers more benefits in terms of improving pharmacological effects， shortening the duration of medicine， and minimizing adverse effects. Through systematic retrieval of Web of Science Core Collection and integration through CiteSpace （6.2.1） software， this article reviewed the mechanism of artesunate combined with other medications with regard to antimalarial， antitumor， antibacterial， and antiviral features in the previous five years， so as to provide some theoretical basis for rational development and utilization of ART and new drug research and development.

Research Progress of Granulocytic Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

Granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) are one of the main subgroups of MDSCs, which are widely enriched in most cancers. It can inhibit the killing function of T-lymphocyte through the expression of arginase-1 (Arg-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), reshape the tumor immune microenvironment, and promote the occurrence and development of tumors. In recent years, more and more studies have found that G-MDSCs are significantly correlated with the prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and the use of drugs specifically targeting the recruitment, differentiation and function of G-MDSCs can effectively inhibit tumor progression. This article reviews the immunosuppressive effect of G-MDSCs in non-small cell lung cancer and the progress of related pathway targeting drugs.
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Association of coffee consumption pattern and metabolic syndrome among middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The association between coffee consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between coffee intake and components of MetS. Method: A cross-sectional survey including 1,719 adults was conducted in Guangdong, China. Data on age, gender, education level, marriage status, body mass index (BMI), current smoking and drinking status and breakfast habit, coffee consumption type, and daily servings were derived based on 2-day, 24-h recall. MetS were assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between the coffee consumption type, daily servings, and the components of MetS. Results: Regardless of the coffee type, compared with non-coffee consumers, coffee consumers had higher odds ratios (ORs) of the elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both men [OR: 3.590; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.891-4.457] and women (OR: 3.590; 95% CI: 2.891-4.457). In women, the risk of elevated blood pressure (BP) was 0.553 times (OR: 0.553; 95% CI: 0.372-0.821, P = 0.004) for people who drank total coffee > 1 serving/day than for non-coffee drinkers. Conclusion: In conclusion, regardless of type, coffee intake is associated with an increased prevalence of FBG in both men and women, but has a protective effect on hypertension only in women.

Effectiveness of a mHealth intervention on hypertension control in a low-resource rural setting: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Despite the increasing popularity of mHealth, little evidence indicates that they can improve health outcomes. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) have been shown as an attractive approach for health-care systems with limited resources. To determine whether mHealth would reduce blood pressure, promote weight loss, and improve hypertension compliance, self-efficacy and life quality in individuals with hypertension living in low-resource rural settings in Hubei, China. Methods: In this parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, we recruited individuals from health-care centers, home visits, and community centers in low-resource rural settings in Hubei, China. Of 200 participants who were screened, 148 completed consent, met inclusion criteria, and were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to control or intervention. Intervention group participants were instructed to use the Monitoring Wearable Device and download a Smartphone Application, which includes reminder alerts, adherence reports, medical instruction and optional family support. Changes in the index of Cardiovascular health risk factors from baseline to end of follow-up. Secondary outcomes were change in hypertension compliance, self-efficacy and life quality at 12 weeks. Results: Participants (n = 134; 66 in the intervention group and 68 controls) had a mean age of 61.73 years, 61.94% were male. After 12 weeks, the mean (SD) systolic blood pressure decreased by 8.52 (19.73) mm Hg in the intervention group and by 1.25 (12.47) mm Hg in the control group (between-group difference, -7.265 mm Hg; 95% CI, -12.89 to -1.64 mm Hg; P = 0.012), While, there was no difference in the change in diastolic blood pressure between the two groups (between-group difference, -0.41 mm Hg; 95% CI, -3.56 to 2.74 mm Hg; P = 0.797). After 12 weeks of follow-up, the mean (SD) hypertension compliance increased by 7.35 (7.31) in the intervention group and by 3.01 (4.92) in the control group (between-group difference, 4.334; 95% CI, 2.21 to -6.46; P < 0.01), the mean (SD) hypertension compliance increased by 12.89 (11.95) in the intervention group and by 5.43 (10.54) in the control group (between-group difference, 7.47; 95% CI, 3.62 to 11.31; P < 0.01), the mean (SD) physical health increased by 12.21 (10.77) in the intervention group and by 1.54 (7.18) in the control group (between-group difference, 10.66; 95% CI, 7.54-13.78; P < 0.01), the mean (SD) mental health increased by 13.17 (9.25) in the intervention group and by 2.55 (5.99) in the control group (between-group difference, 10.93; 95% CI, 7.74 to 14.12; P < 0.01). Conclusions: Among participants with uncontrolled hypertension, individuals randomized to use a monitoring wearable device with a smartphone application had a significant improvement in self-reported hypertension compliance, self-efficacy, life quality, weight loss and diastolic blood pressure, but no change in systolic blood pressure compared with controls.

Mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism imbalance in a PA-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cell model / 中国药科大学学报

@#Liver cholesterol metabolism disorder plays an important role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).In order to reveal the molecular mechanism of cholesterol homeostasis imbalance induced by saturated fatty acids, HepG2 cells were stimulated with palmitic acid (PA).Lipids accumulation was analyzed by Oil Red O staining, intracellular triglyceride and cholesterol quantification.The level of genes and proteins related to cholesterol homeostasis was measured by RT-qPCR and western blotting.Additionally, intracellular bile acids and mitochondrial oxysterols were detected by LC-MS/MS.The results demonstrated that intracellular lipids such as TG and TC were significantly increased in the model with PA stimulation.Although no significant difference was detected in genes related to cholesterol synthesis and uptake, the protein expression of ABCG5 and LXRα were significantly down-regulated, indicating a decrease in cholesterol efflux.Meanwhile, the gene expression of STARD1 and CYP7B1, which are responsible for bile acid alternative synthesis, were markedly enhanced, along with a significant increase of cholesterol and 27-OHC in mitochondria and CDCA in cells.These results suggested that PA overload may disrupt cholesterol homeostasis by inhibiting cholesterol efflux and promoting bile acids synthesis.

An exoskeleton robot can help improve the walking ability of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy of a flat ground exoskeleton robot in improving the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty-eight stroke survivors with mobility difficulties were randomly divided into a robot group ( n=29) and a control group ( n=29). In addition to routine rehabilitation, the control group received conventional walking training, while the robot group underwent exoskeleton robot-assisted gait training. The 30-minute training sessions were held twice a day, 5 days per week for 5 weeks. Before as well as after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, everyone′s walking ability was tested using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and functional ambulation scale (FAC). General lower limb motor function was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity assessment (FMA-LE). Moreover, gait analysis was conducted before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results:After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the average 6MWT times of both groups were significantly better than before the treatment, with the improvement of the robot group significantly greater than that of the control group after 2 weeks. After 2 and 4 weeks the average FMA-LE and FAC scores of both groups had improved significantly compared with before treatment. After 4 weeks the stride frequency and gait cycle of both groups had improved significantly.Conclusions:Exoskeleton robot-assisted gait training can improve walking ability and lower limb motor function of stroke survivors about as well as conventional walking training.

Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 650 nm Red Light Stimulation on Human Hair Follicles and Study of Its Mechanisms via RNA Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis

Background@#Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) leads to thinning of scalp hair and affects 60%~70% of the adult population worldwide. Developing more effective treatments and studying its mechanism are of great significance. Previous clinical studies have revealed that hair growth is stimulated by 650-nm red light. @*Objective@#This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of 650-nm red light on the treatment of AGA by using ex vivo hair follicle culture. @*Methods@#Human hair follicles were obtained from hair transplant patients with AGA. Hair follicles were cultured in Williams E medium and treated with or without 650-nm red light.Real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression level of genes and proteins in hair follicles, respectively. RNA-sequencing analysis was carried out to reveal the distinct gene signatures upon 650 nm treatment. @*Results@#Low-level 650 nm red light promoted the proliferation of human hair follicles in the experimental cultured-tissue model. Consistently, 650 nm red light significantly delayed the transition of hair cycle from anagen to catagen in vitro. RNA-seq analysis and gene clustering for the differentially expressed genes suggests that leukocyte transendothelial migration, metabolism, adherens junction and other biological process maybe involved in stimulation of hair follicles by 650-nm red light treatment. @*Conclusion@#The effect of 650-nm red light on ex vivo hair follicles and the transcriptome set which implicates the role of red light in promoting hair growth and reversing of miniaturization process of AGA were identified.

Application of medical magnifying loupes in diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases / 浙江大学学报·医学版

: To evaluate the application of medical magnifying loupes in diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases. Twenty-four patients with plaque-type oral lichen planus or homogeneous oral leukoplakia were inspected by naked eyes or assistance with magnifying loupes. Histopathological results were used as the gold standard to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the two methods in clinical diagnosis. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the subjective effect of magnifying loupes on the diagnosis efficiency of oral mucosal diseases and to explore the most suitable parameters for application. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of medical magnifying loupes for the identification of plaque-type oral lichen planus and homogeneous oral leukoplakia were 94.74%, 100.00% and 95.83%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of naked eye inspection (89.47%, 80.00% and 87.50%). The effective rate of magnifying loupes assisted diagnosis was 91.76% according to physicians' subjective evaluation. The most suitable parameters were 3.5 times magnification and working distance. The medical magnifying loupes can effectively improve the efficiency of the inspection and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases, and have the characteristics of convenience and real-time. The recommended clinical parameters are 3.5 times magnification and working distance.

Reconstitution of biosynthetic pathway for mushroom-derived cyathane diterpenes in yeast and generation of new "non-natural" analogues

Mushroom-derived cyathane-type diterpenes possess unusual chemical skeleton and diverse bioactivities. To efficiently supply bioactive cyathanes for deep studies and explore their structural diversity,

Research progress on three-dimensional printed interbody fusion cage / 生物医学工程学杂志

Spinal fusion is a standard operation for treating moderate and severe intervertebral disc diseases. In recent years, the proportion of three-dimensional printing interbody fusion cage in spinal fusion surgery has gradually increased. In this paper, the research progress of molding technology and materials used in three-dimensional printing interbody fusion cage at present is summarized. Then, according to structure layout, three-dimensional printing interbody fusion cages are classified into five types: solid-porous-solid (SPS) type, solid-porous-frame (SPF) type, frame-porous-frame (FPF) type, whole porous cage (WPC) type and others. The optimization process of three-dimensional printing interbody fusion cage and the advantages and disadvantages of each type are analyzed and summarized in depth. The clinical application of various types of 3D printed interbody fusion cage was introduced and summarized later. Lastly, combined with the latest research progress and achievements, the future research direction of three-dimensional printing interbody fusion cage in molding technology, application materials and coating materials is prospected in order to provide some reference for scholars engaged in interbody fusion cage research and application.

IGF2BP3 May Contributes to Lung Tumorigenesis by Regulating the Alternative Splicing of PKM.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play a key role in genome regulation. Here we report the post-transcript regulation of IGF2BP3, which belongs to the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein family. We used iRIP-seq and RNA-seq to analyze the transcript regulation and alternative splicing on IGF2BP3 treated with overexpression cells and control. Overexpressed IGF2BP3 has broadly increased genes expression which involved in G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, positive regulation of cell proliferation, and signal transduction. IGF2BP3 regulated alternative splicing of multiple genes mainly clustered at response to hypoxia, negative regulation of transcription, and embryonic development. This study first provides alternative splicing analysis on transcription level of IGF2BP3 regulation, which laid the foundation for later research on IGF2BP3 critical functions.

COVID-Net: A deep learning based and interpretable predication model for the county-wise trajectories of COVID-19 in the United States

The cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States since January 2020. We propose a COVINet by combining the architecture of both Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Unit. First, we use the 10-fold cross-validation to train and assess different prediction models for which all counties serve alternatively as the training and test counties. Then, we focus on the prediction for the 10 severest counties. We employ the Mean Relative Errors (MREs) to measure the performance of the COVINet in predicting confirmed cases and deaths. Two COVINet models with 26 and 19 input variables, respectively, are trained. We estimate their respective MREs in the last 30 days before January 23, 2021, by the 10-fold CV, which are 0.0898 and 0.1068 for the number of confirmed cases, and 0.0694 and 0.0724 for the number of deaths. The MREs are also small for all predictions of the events in the last 7 or 30 days before January 23, 2021. The COVINet uses features including workforce driving alone to work, traffic volume, income inequality, and longitude and latitude of infected counties to predict the trajectories of COVID-19 in counties of the United States. The increasing awareness of how predictors affect the pandemic helps policymakers develop plans to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

miR-450a-5p Eliminates MGO-Induced Insulin Resistance via Targeting CREB

Background and Objectives@#miR-450a-5p was involved in fat formation, however, its role in insulin resistance remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of miR-450a-5p on endothelial cells, with the aim of finding a potential target for diabetes mellitus. @*Methods@#and Results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with low-glucose, high-glucose, methylglyoxal (MGO), and insulin alone or in combination with MGO. The expression of miR-450a-5p in treated cells was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The cell activity, migration and fat formation were determined by MTT experiments, Transwell assay and oil red O staining. The expressions of eNOS/ AKT pathway-related proteins in cells were assessed by Western blot (WB) analysis. Furthermore, the target gene of miR-450a-5p was analyzed by double-luciferase reporter analysis, and its effects on eNOS/AKT pathway were estimated. We found that the expression of miR-450a-5p was decreased obviously in endothelial cells treated with high-glucose and MGO. In vitro cell experiments showed that MGO could not only promote the activity of endothelial cells, but also accelerate cell migration and fat accumulation, which, however, could be reversed by up-regulation of miR-450a-5p. Moreover, MGO inhibited eNOS/AKT pathway activation and NO release mediated by insulin, and such effects were reversed by up-regulation of miR-450a-5p. Furthermore, CREB was the target gene for miR-450a-5p, had an activation effect on the eNOS/AKT pathway. @*Conclusions@#Up-regulated miR-450a-5p eliminates MGO-induced insulin resistance via targeting CREB, and therefore could be used as a potential target to improve insulin resistance and treat patients with diabetes-related diseases.

Analysis of the different clinical characteristics between influenza virus pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the difference of clinical characteristics between influenza virus pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia.Methods:The clinical data of 112 patients with influenza virus pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from November 2018 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.In accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 cases in influenza viral pneumonia group, and 72 cases in bacterial pneumonia group.The clinical data of age, underlying disease, respiratory rate, blood lymphocyte count, oxygen and index, chest CT imaging changes were analyzed in the two groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of influenza virus pneumonia.Results:Compared between the influenza virus pneumonia group and the bacterial pneumonia group, the differences in the age[(48.45±16.28)years vs.(59.18±19.11)years] and the oxygenation index[(267.5±90.7)mmHg vs.(368.6±47.6)mmHg] were statistically significant( t=-2.997, -6.563, all P<0.01). The changes of chest CT images with ground-glass opacity and involvement of multiple lobars were risk factors for influenza virus pneumonia( OR=12.491, 20.001, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The young and middle age, low oxygenation index, the CT images of chest with ground-glass opacity, and the multi-lobar distribution of lesions are risk factors for influenza virus pneumonia.

Impact of gene dosage on recombinant transglutaminase production of Pichia pastoris / 生物工程学报

Based on the rDNA sequence of Pichia pastoris, a multi-copy gene expression vector of transglutaminase (pPICZα-rDNA-mtg) was constructed and transformed to the host strain (pGAP9-pro/GS115) expressing pro peptide, to obtain the co-expression strain pro/rDNA-mtg (GS115). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to analyze transglutaminase gene copy number in the 4 positive strains. We further studied the effect of gene copy on the enzyme production of recombinant Pichia pastoris as well as high-density fermentation of higher expression strain in a 3-L fermenter. The mtg copy numbers of the 4 positive strains were 2.21, 3.36, 5.72 and 7.62 (mtg-2c, mtg-3c, mtg-6c and mtg-8c), respectively, and the enzyme production capacity and protein expression level were mtg-3c>mtg-2c>mtg-6c>mtg-8c. Mtg-3c and mtg-6c of high-density fermentation had the highest enzymatic activity and enzymatic activity per unit wet weight in the supernatant of 3.12 U/mL, 52.1 U/g (wet weight) and 2.07 U/mL and 36.5 U/g (wet weight), respectively. In terms of enzyme activity per unit wet weight, mtg-3c is 1.4 times higher than that of mtg-6c. The activity of purified enzyme (mtg-3c) was up to 7.21 U/mL and the protein concentration was 437.2 μg/mL. By analyzing the effect of mtg copy number on the enzyme production of recombinant strains, mtg-3c is suitable for the co-expression of two genes (pro and mtg) in pro/rDNA-mtg, and its enzyme activity is related to higher protein secretion of the strain.

Expression of pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 and its pathogenic role in systemic sclerosis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its role in fibrosis.@*METHODS@#Skin biopsy samples were collected from 21 patients with SSc and 22 patients with healthy skin for detecting the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In cultured primary human dermal fibroblasts, PTTG1 expression was knocked down via RNA interference (siRNA), and the mRNA expression levels of PTTG1 and the fibrosis-related genes @*RESULTS@#Compared with those in normal skin samples, the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 increased significantly in the skin tissue of patients with SSc (@*CONCLUSIONS@#PTTG1 is highly expressed in skin tissues of patients with SSc, and PTTG1 knockdown can reduce the activity of the dermal fibroblasts, suggesting a close correlation of PTTG1 with fibrosis in SSc.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of gibberellin biosynthesis, metabolism and signaling family genes in Phyllostachys edulis / 生物工程学报

Gibberellin is an essential plant hormone that plays an important regulatory role throughout the life cycle of higher plants. A total of 23 genes involved in gibberellin action were identified from Phyllostachys edulis genome, including 8 GA20ox and 1 GA3ox genes involved in the gibberellin biosynthesis, 8 GA2ox genes involved in the metabolism of gibberellin, 2 GID1 genes involved in gibberellin perception, 2 GID2 genes and 2 DELLA genes involved in gibberellin signal transduction. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes from Arabidopsis, Oryza sativa and Phyllostachys edulis revealed that gibberellin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling pathways are conserved in these species. Treatment of seeds and seedlings of bamboo with exogenous gibberellin revealed that gibberellin significantly increased seed germination rate and stem elongation of seedlings, and had the best concentration of action. The expression levels of GA20ox and GA3ox genes in the bamboo seedlings were down-regulated and the expression of the active gibberellin-degrading gene GA2ox was up-regulated after GA3 treatment, and the transcriptional level of the gibberellin receptor GID1 and the positive regulatory gene GID2 was significantly increased while the expression of the negative regulatory gene DELLA was decreased. These genes have significant differences in the expression of different spatial locations of bamboo shoot stems, GA20ox, GA3ox, GA2ox, GID1 and GID2 are all expressed in the upper part of bamboo shoots, while the repressor gene DELLA accumulates at the bottom of the shoots and is hardly expressed at the top.

Applicationvalueofanewgenerationmodel-basediterativereconstructioninchestCTscan / 实用放射学杂志

Objective ToinvestigatetheimpactofCTimagequalityforfilteringbackprojection(FBP),conventionalmodel-based iterativereconstruction(MBIRC)andnewgeneration model-basediterativereconstruction (MBIRN)onchest.Methods Thirtypatientswith chestCTscanwerecollected.FBP,MBIRCandMBIRN wereusedtoreconstructtheimage.Objectivequality[standarddeviation(SD) valueoftheROI,SNR],thenoisereductionrateandSNRimprovementrateofMBIRCand MBIRN withrespecttoFBP werecom-paredacrossthethreeimages.Atthesametime,tworadiologistsusedtheblind methodtoevaluatetheintrapulmonarystructurein thelungalgorithm FBP,MBIRC,MBIRN,andthemediastinalstructure (5-pointsystem)inthestandardalgorithmsFBP,MBIRC, MBIRN.Results ComparedwithFBP,theimagemusclenoisesofMBIRCand MBIRN were76.71% and86.06%lowerthanFBP,respectively, andthefatnoiseswere66.91% and78.18%lowerthanFBP,respectively.Thedifferencewasstatisticallysignificant(P<0.05).The imageSNRofMBIRCandMBIRN were74.12% and84.97% higherthanthatoftheFBPgroup,respectively.ThefatSNRwere65.63% and 76.02% higherthanthatoftheFBPgroup (P<0.05).Thethreealgorithmsshowedstatisticallysignificantdifferencesinsubjective noise,intrapulmonaryvascular,bronchialresolution,mediastinalbloodvessels,andlymphnodes.MBIRN hadthelowestsubjective noise,andthehighestSNR,mediastinalstructure,andintrapulmonaryvesselsandbronchi.Conclusion Comparedwith MBIRC and FBPwithnormaldosechestCTscan,MBIRN cansignificantlyreducethenoiseofchestCTscanimages,improveSNR,and more clearlyshowthedetailsofthescanrangeandlesionedgefeatures.

The imaging analysis of solitary lesions in spine / 实用医学杂志

Objective Exploring the imaging findings of solitary lesions in spine to improve the diagnosis level of these diseases. Methods 158 cases of solitary lesions in spine confirmed by pathology from Jan 2011 to Jan 2018 were retrospectively analyzed on bone destruction, intralesional density, signal features, marginal sclerosis, boundary, soft tissue mass, periosteum reaction and involvement of intervertebral disc. Results There were 100 cases of primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions, 25 cases of metastatic tumors and 33 cases of infectious diseases. 87 male and 71 female were included, with a mean age of (46.3 ± 7.2) years (range: 5 ～76).There were 13 cases (8.23％) of benign bone tumors and 11 cases (6.96％) of benign tumor-like lesions, 21 cases (13.29％) of intermediate bone tumors and 4 cases (2.53％) of intermediate tumor-like lesions, 76 cases (48.10％) of malignant tumors and 33 cases (20.89％) of infectious diseases. Osteochondroma and fibrous dysplasia were the most common type of benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions, respectively. Giant cell tumor and langerhans cell histiocytosis were the most common type of intermediate bone tumors and tumor-like lesions, respectively. Metastases and solitary plasmacytoma were the most common types of malignant tumors. Tuberculosis was the most common type of infectious diseases. Benign lesions usually have no or mild bone destruction. Clear boundary and marginal sclerosis were common, while periosteum reaction and soft tissue mass were rarely seen in benign lesions. Bone destruction with soft tissue mass and periosteum reaction were common in intermediate and malignant lesions. Moreover, malignant tumors usually had obscure boundary. Involvement of adjacent intervertebral disc was the most significant difference between infectious diseases and tumors and tumor-like lesions.Conclusions Solitary lesions in spine have certain regularity, which is helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign, malignant tumors and tumor-like lesions and infectious diseases.

Clinical value of cystatin C in predicting severe pneumonia / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To analyze the expression and clinical significance of cystatin C in patients with severe pneumonia.@*Methods@#The retrospective study method was used to collect 213 CAP patients who were hospitalized in Department of Respiration, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from January 2016 to June 2018, in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 95 cases in severe pneumonia group, and 118 cases of non severe pneumonia group.The clinical data of blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cystatin C, C reactive protein(CRP) concentration and CURB-65(confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age>65 years) score were analyzed in the two groups, and the clinical risk factors of severe pneumonia and non severe pneumonia were compared.@*Results@#In the severe pneumonia group, the values of cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen and CRP were (1.32±0.47)mg/L, (7.73±5.79)mmol/L and (127.25±81.49)mg/L, respectively, which in the non severe pneumonia group were (1.06±0.33)mg/L, (5.06±2.41)mmol/L and (45.50±44.28)mg/L, respectively, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (t=4.469, 4.218, 8.789, all P<0.05). The CURB-65 scores between the two groups had statistically significant difference(Z=-6.892, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that cystatin C and CRP were independent risk factors for severe pneumonia.@*Conclusion@#The cystatin C level in patients with severe pneumonia is higher than that of patients with non severe pneumonia patients, suggesting that cystatin C has clinical value in predicting severe pneumonia and should be paid enough attention.