Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics and treatment outcomes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody ANCA-associated vasculitic neuropathy / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of ANCA-associated vasculitic neuropathy (VN) and analyze the predictors of treatment outcomes.Methods:Retrospective case series. In all, 652 consecutive patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis were admitted to the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2006 and December 2022. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 91 patients. Patients were excluded if other known causes of neuropathy were present. Sixty-one patients were eventually enrolled, including 17 with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), 11 with granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA), and 33 with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Their clinical data were collected and clinical characteristics, VN manifestations, electrophysiological findings (including interside amplitude ratio [IAR]), and treatment outcomes were compared among the three subsets of AAV. Then, factors influencing the treatment outcomes were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results:Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 62.1%(18/29) of EGPA, 8.3%(15/180) of GPA, and 13.1%(58/443) of MPA patients. The age at onset and examination was higher in patients with MPA than those with EGPA or GPA ( P<0.01). The occurrence of VN was later in patients with GPA than those with EGPA ( P<0.01), and the GPA group had fewer affected nerves than the other two groups ( P<0.016). The abnormal IARs of motor nerves in lower limbs were more detected in the EGPA than the MPA group ( P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis suggested that higher Birmingham vasculitis activity score-version 3 (BVAS-V3) ( OR=6.85, 95% CI 1.33-35.30) was associated with better treatment outcomes of VN. However, central nervous system involvement was a risk factor for poor treatment outcomes ( OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.89). Conclusions:The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of VN were slightly different among subsets of AAV. Patients with GPA often presented with polyneuropathy and had fewer nerves affected; mononeuritis multiplex was more common in EGPA than GPA and MPA. Higher BVAS-V3 and central nervous system involvement might predict the treatment outcome of VN.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Promotes PGC-1α Mediated Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Antioxidant Stress to Protect Cognitive Function in Vascular Dementia Rats / 生物化学与生物物理进展

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on cognitive function of vascular dementia (VD) rats and its mechanism. MethodsVD rat model was established by modified two-vessel occlusion (2-VO). After modeling, TEAS and electroacupuncture (EA) were used to stimulate Baihui and Zusanli points of rats respectively for 14 d. After treatment, novel object recognition test, Morris water maze test, and Y maze test were used to evaluate the spatial memory and learning ability of rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of hippocampal neurons. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal mitochondria. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to detected the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, MDA and ROS in serum of rats. Western blot was used to detect the expression of PGC-1α, TFAM, HO-1, NQO1 proteins in the hippocampus, Keap1 protein in the cytoplasm and Nrf2, NRF1 proteins in the nucleus. ResultsAfter treatment for 14 d, compared to the model group, the escape latency of VD rats decreased, while the discrimination index, the times of rats crossing the original platform area, the residence time in the original platform quadrant, and the percentage of alternation increased. TEAS can improve the structure of hippocampal neurons and mitochondria of VD rats, showing that neurons were arranged more regularly and distributed more evenly, nuclear membrane and nucleoli were clearer, and mitochondrial swelling were reduced, mitochondrial matrix density were increased, and mitochondrial cristae were more obvious. The levels of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in serum increased significantly, while the concentration of MDA and ROS decreased. TEAS also up-regulated the expression levels of PGC-1α TFAM, NQO1 and HO-1 proteins in the hippocampus and Nrf2, NRF1 proteins in the nucleus, but down-regulated the Keap1 protein in the cytoplasm. ConclusionTEAS can improve cognition, hippocampal neurons and mitochondrial structure of VD rats, and the effect is better than EA. The mechanism may be the activation of PGC-1α mediated mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant stress, which also provides a potential therapeutic technology and experimental basis for the treatment of VD.

Time - sensitive effects of Zhuang medicated thread moxibustion on estrogen level in female perimenopausal model rats / Efectos sensibles al tiempo de la moxibustión con hilo medicado de Zhuang sobre el nivel de estrógeno en ratas modelo perimenopáusicas hembras

The present study was conducted to ascertain the estrogenic effect of Zhuang Medicated Thread Moxibustion (ZMTM) and explore its time - sensitive impact on estradiol (E2) in female perimenopausal rats. 40 female rats were randomized into four gr oups: the control, model, ZMTM, and acupuncture groups. The perimenopausal syndrome was induced in the last three groups with a daily subcutaneous dose of 80 mg/kg of 4 - vinylcyclohexene diepoxide for 15 days. Afterward, rats in the model and control group s were fed routinely, while rats in the ZMTM and acupuncture groups were treated with six ZMTM and acupuncture courses, respectively. Results of the study suggested that following the six courses of treatment, the E2 level in the model group was significan tly the lowest, while the regular group was the highest (P < 0.05). There was also a gradual increase in the E2 level of the ZMTM group compared to the model and acupuncture groups, e.g. after the 5th and 6th courses of treatment, their E2 level was signif icantly higher than the model and acupuncture groups. The ZMTM group was better than the model and acupuncture groups. In summary, ZMTM can improve perimenopausal induced rats' estrogen level.

El presen te estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar el efecto estrogénico de la moxibustión con hilo medicado Zhuang (ZMTM) y explorar su impacto sensible al tiempo en el estradiol (E2) en ratas hembras perimenopáusicas. Se dividió al azar una muestra de 40 ratas h embras en cuatro grupos: control, modelo, ZMTM y acupuntura. El síndrome perimenopáusico se indujo en los últimos tres grupos con una dosis subcutánea diaria de 80 mg/kg de diepóxido de 4 - vinilciclohexeno durante 15 días. Después, las ratas en los grupos m odelo y control fueron alimentadas rutinariamente, mientras que las ratas en los grupos ZMTM y acupuntura recibieron seis cursos de ZMTM y acupuntura, respectivamente. Los resultados del estudio sugieren que después de los seis cursos de tratamiento, el ni vel de E2 en el grupo modelo fue significativamente más bajo, mientras que el grupo regular fue más alto ( p < 0,05). También hubo un aumento gradual en el nivel de E2 del grupo ZMTM en comparación con los grupos modelo y acupuntura, por ejemplo, desp ués del quinto y sexto cursos de tratamiento, su nivel de E2 fue significativamente más alto que los grupos modelo y acupuntura. El grupo ZMTM fue mejor que los grupos modelo y acupuntura. En resumen, el ZMTM puede mejorar el nivel de estrógeno de las rata s inducidas por la perimenopausia.

Carcinoma within a lymphoepithelial cyst: a case report / 华西口腔医学杂志

Malignant transformation arising in benign lymphoepithelial cysts is a complex and rare occurrence, and related research is limited. This study presents a case of the malignant degeneration of lymphoepithelial cyst in parapharyngeal space. Clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis are discussed with literature review to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment management.

Exploration of an online and offline mixed teaching mode for "Protein Engineering" based on BOPPPS+flipped classroom / 生物工程学报

Protein Engineering is a core compulsory course of biotechnology major, which is the first-class undergraduate major being constructed in Shanxi Province. In view of the problems of single teaching mode of Protein Engineering, such as insufficient students' participation, short teaching time, and expensive experiment cost, the course team carried out the reform and practice of teaching mode for this course, and put forward a new teaching strategy. Under the guidance of the "Golden Course" standard for advancement, innovation and challenge, the course team developed the materials for massive open online courses (MOOC), and carried out the online and offline mixed teaching of Protein Engineering based on BOPPPS+flipped classroom by using the Chao-Xing Fan-Ya network teaching platform. Through this, a comprehensive, systematic and dynamic new teaching system of Protein Engineering was developed. Using the teaching mode based on BOPPPS+flipped classroom, the offline classroom teaching was combined with students' online self-study and homework completion, chapter test and discussion, and this mixed teaching mode was fully integrated into the flipped classroom. After three rounds of teaching practice, the course team had developed a complete, reproducible, scientific and reasonable online and offline mixed teaching mode, which included course materials preparation, exploring experiment guidance, classroom discussion design and course performance evaluation. The online and offline mixed teaching mode of Protein Engineering based on BOPPPS+flipped classroom was helpful for students to improve their autonomous learning ability, to be deeply engaged in the whole teaching process, and to develop a comprehensive and profound understanding of Protein Engineering. This teaching mode improved the teaching quality of Protein Engineering, and facilitated students to learn other follow-up professional courses. Moreover, it provides a reference for the course teaching reform.

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Ajania plants / 中国中药杂志

Ajania belonging to the subtribe Artemisiinae of Anthemideae(Asteraceae) is a genus of semi-shrubs closely related to Chrysanthemum. There are 24 species of Ajania in northwestern China, most of which are folk herbal medicines with strong stress tolerance. Modern medical studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents of Ajania mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkynes, and essential oils. These compounds endow the plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and insecticide effects. In this study, we reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ajania, aiming to provide reference for the further research and development of Ajania.

Observation of early clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique in the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate early clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique for the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases.@*METHODS@#Fourteen patients with lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases were treated with unilateral biportal endoscopy technique from June 2019 to June 2020. Among them, there were 9 males and 5 females, aged from 52 to 73 years old, and the interval between primary and revision operations ranged from 19 to 64 months. Adjacent segmental degeneration occurred after lumbar fusion in 10 patients and after lumbar nonfusion fixation in 4 patients. All the patients received unilateral biportal endoscopy assisted posterior unilateral lamina decompression or unilateral approach to the contralateral decompression. The operation time, postoperative hospital stay and complications were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score were recorded before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months after operation.@*RESULTS@#All procedures were successfully completed. Surgical duration ranged from 32 to 151 min. Postoperative CT showed adequate decompression and preservation of most joints. Out of bed walking 1 to 3 days after surgery, postoperative hospital stay was 1 to 8 days, and postoperative follow-up was 6 to 11 months. All 14 patients returned to normal life within 3 weeks after surgery, and VAS, ODI, and mJOA scores improved significantly at 3 days and 3, 6 months after surgery. One patient occurred cerebrospinal fluid leak after operation, received local compression suture, and the wound healed after conservative treatment. One patient occurred postoperative cauda equina neurologic deficit, which was gradually recovered about 1 month after rehabilitation therapy. One patients advented transient pain of lower limbs after surgery, and the symptoms were relieved after 7 days of treatment with hormones, dehydration drugs and symptomatic management.@*CONCLUSION@#Unilateral biportal endoscopy technique has a good early clinical efficacy in the treatment of lumbar postoperative adjacent segmental diseases, which may provide a new minimally invasive, non-fixation option for the treatment of adjacent segment disease.

Impact of downregulated miR-99a with high glucose on hepatic sinusoidal dysfunction and intervention of metformin / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of high glucose downregulated microRNA(miR)-99a on hepatic sinus dysfunction and metformin intervention, and to explore the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced fatty liver and possible mechanism of metformin.Methods:The cultured human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were randomly divided into normal control group, high glucose model group, miR-99a overexpression group, miR-99a overexpression negative control group, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF-1R) inhibitor group, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) inhibitor group, and metformin treatment group. The mRNA expressions of miR-99a were detected with realtime quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR), and the expression levels and distribution of IGF-1R, phosphorylated(p-)mTOR and vitronectin(VN) were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The ultrastructure of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells was observed using scanning electron microscope.Results:Compared with normal control group, the mRNA expression of miR-99a was downregulated( P=0.008), while the protein expressions of IGF-1R, mTOR, and VN were significantly increased, and the diameter and number of fenestrae decreased significantly in high glucose model group. Compared with high glucose model group, after the treatment with metformin, the mRNA expression of miR-99a was upregulated, while the protein expressions of IGF-1R, mTOR, and VN were significantly decreased( P=0.001, P=0.016, P=0.005, respectively), the number of fenestras increased and the diameter became larger in miR-99a overexpression group, IGF-1R inhibitor group, mTOR inhibitor group, and metformin treatment group. After overexpression of miR-99a, the protein expressions of IGF-1R, p-mTOR, and VN were significantly reduced( P=0.007, P=0.013, P=0.003, respectively); After administration of IGF-1R inhibitors, the expressions of p-mTOR and VN significantly decreased( P=0.006, P=0.009, respectively), following treatment with the mTOR inhibitor, the expression of VN was significantly reduced( P=0.008), while the expression of IGF-1R remained unchanged( P=0.553). Conclusions:Downregulating of miR-99a with high glucose induced hepatic sinus dysfunction, which may be related to the regulation of IGF-1R/mTOR pathway. Metformin increased the expression of miR-99a, thereby inhibiting high glucose-induced hepatic sinusoidal dysfunction.

Clinical and electrophysiological study of lower limb split signs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the association between split foot and electrophysiology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Methods:The clinically definite or clinically probable ALS patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from April 2021 to December 2022 were prospectively collected. From April 2021 to December 2022, patients who visited the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital for other reasons without abnormal electrophysiological examination were collected as the control group. The incidence of split leg [the limb whose modified Medical Research Council Muscle Strength Scale (mMRC) score of ankle dorsiflexors was lower than that of ankle plantarflexors] in ALS patients was calculated, and the incidence of split foot (the limb whose mMRC score of hallux dorsiflexors was lower than that of hallux plantarflexors) in ALS patients was calculated. The amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve was detected to observe the involvement of motor neurons innervating ankle dorsiflexors and ankle plantarflexors. The characteristics of split leg and split foot in ALS patients were analyzed from the perspective of muscle strength, and the characteristics of split foot in ALS patients were analyzed from the perspective of electrophysiology. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of peroneal nerve/tibial nerve CMAP amplitude ratio in distinguishing ALS patients from controls.Results:A total of 101 ALS patients with lower limb involvement and 110 controls with normal lower limb muscle strength were collected. Among the 101 ALS patients with lower limb involvement, strength of ankle plantarflexors was greater than that of ankle dorsiflexors in 35.64% (36/101) patients, strength of ankle dorsiflexors was greater than that of ankle plantarflexors in 5.94% (6/101) patients, and strength of ankle plantarflexors and ankle dorsiflexors was equal in 58.42% (59/101) patients. Strength of hallux dorsiflexors was lower than that of hallux plantarflexors in 53.47% (54/101) patients, strength of hallux dorsiflexors was greater than that of hallux plantarflexors in 1.98% (2/101) patients, and the strength of hallux dorsiflexors and hallux plantarflexors was equal in 44.55% (45/101) patients. The incidence of split leg was negatively correlated with age ( OR=0.25, 95% CI 0.16-0.40, P<0.05), course of disease ( OR=0.52, 95% CI 0.38-0.80 P<0.05) and ALS functional revised scores ( OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.67, P<0.05). The incidence of split foot was negatively correlated with the onset time of lower limb symptoms ( OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the differences of the decrease of CMAP amplitude in the common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve [the common peroneal nerve (6.45±2.56) mV vs (3.63±1.83) mV, tibial nerve (12.87±4.72) mV vs (9.18±6.22) mV] were statistically significant ( t=-4.65, t=-3.44, both P<0.001) and the differences of the peroneal nerve/tibial nerve CMAP amplitude ratio (0.54±0.24 vs 0.36±0.18) decrease was statistically significant ( t=-4.31, P<0.001) in patients with split foot. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of CMAP amplitude ratio of common peroneal nerve/tibial nerve in ALS patients with split foot was 0.70, indicating that the accuracy of CMAP amplitude of common peroneal nerve/tibial nerve in distinguishing ALS patients from controls was low. Conclusions:In ALS patients with lower limb involvement, strength of ankle dorsiflexors is weaker than that of ankle plantarflexors, and strength of hallux dorsiflexors is weaker than that of hallux plantarflexors. At the diagnostic level, the CMAP amplitude ratio of common peroneal nerve/tibial nerve in ALS patients with split foot has a lower accuracy in the diagnosis of ALS.

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of maxillofacial granular cell tumor / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To analyze the clinicopathological features of maxillofacial granular cell tumors (GCT) with the aid of immunohistochemical staining.@*METHODS@#Seven cases of maxillofacial GCT were retrospectively collated, and the microscopic morphology of maxillofacial GCT was analyzed. The expression of S-100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), SOX-10, CD68, actin, desmin, and Ki-67 in GCT was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The cases were observed in the follow-ups after clinical treatment.@*RESULTS@#All seven GCT tumors lacked envelopes and were poorly defined. Microscopically, the sizes of the tumor cells were large and appeared with inconspicuous cell membranes, forming a syncytium-like appearance. The cytoplasm was filled with characteristic eosinophilic granules. The immunohistochemical results showed that six cases were NSE-positive, five cases were S-100-positive, seven cases were CD68-positive, five cases were SOX-10-positive, one case was actin-positive, and seven cases were desmin-negative. The Ki-67 index did not exceed 5% in all cases. In the follow-up sessions, none of the six cases presented a recurrence.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Maxillofacial GCT has a characteristic histological structure. Immunohistochemical S-100, CD68, and other indicators can assist in diagnosis, and the prognosis is good after clinical resection.

Global development trend of ECMO based on utility patent analysis / 医疗卫生装备

The global patent data on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)in IncomPat Global Patent Database as of August 29,2022 were retrieved.The development trend and layout of ECMO industry were analyzed in terms of global patent application trend,patent distribution,patent technology,major patent applicants and their patent layout.Some suggestions were put forward for the innovation and development of ECMO industry in China so as to provide references for the formulation of national industrial policy,planning of industry technology direction and enterprise technology research and development and patent layout.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(10):68-75]

Preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion with mucosal flap: a study in canines and clinical cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mucosal flap combined with silicone keel for preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion in canines and clinical cases. Methods: A prospective experiment was performed from November 2019 to June 2021. Twenty five canines were randomly divided into 5 groups(A, B, C, D, E). Group A, B, C, D received anterior commissure injury by CO2 laser, then separately treated with free mucosal flap-keel complex,intralaryngeal mucosal flap-keel complex, silicone keels and without treatment, group E didn't injure the vocal cord after intubation. The keel was removed after 2 weeks, the larynx was harvested after 4 weeks. The effectiveness of anterior commissure adhesion prevention was evaluated by manifestation under laryngoscope, standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area. A retrospective analysis was performed on sixteen patients with anterior commissure lesion, who underwent mucosal flap-keel technique in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2019 to January 2021 (10 cases with free mucosal flap-keel complex and 6 cases with intralaryngeal mucosal flap-keel complex). All the patients underwent evaluation of laryngeal function included manifestation under laryngoscope each month and voice analysis before and 3 month after surgery. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: No surgery accident or complication happened in canines and patients. The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group B were significantly higher than those in group A, C, D (Hstandard vocal cord length=31.688, Hstandard glottic area=16.444, P<0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group A were also significantly higher than those in group C, D(Hstandard vocal cord length=20.936, Hstandard glottic area=11.786, P<0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group A, B, E were not significantly different to that before surgery(tA left standard vocal cord length=2.636, tA right standard vocal cord length=2.582, tB left standard vocal cord length=2.707, tB right standard vocal cord length=2.673, tE left standard vocal cord length=0.370, tE right standard vocal cord length=0.821, tA standard glottic area=2.731, tB standard glottic area=2.753, tE standard glottic area=-0.529, P>0.05). The standard vocal cord length and standard glottic area after 4 weeks in group C, D were significantly lower than those before surgery(tC left standard vocal cord length=16.137, tC right standard vocal cord length=13.984, tD left standard vocal cord length=11.903, tD right standard vocal cord length=14.587, tC standard glottic area=10.280, tD standard glottic area=22.974, P<0.05). During 6-18 months of follow-up in clinical patients, no one developed a glottic web. Three months after surgery, Jitter, Shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio(NHR), the maximum phonation time(MPT)in all patients were significantly different from preoperative(tintralaryngeal mucosal flap jitter=24.885, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap shimmer=22.643, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap NHR=6.202, tintralaryngeal mucosal flap MPT=-9.661, tfree mucosal flap jitter=25.459, tfree mucosal flap shimmer=18.683, tfree mucosal flap NHR=5.705, tfree mucosal flap MPT=-20.840, P<0.05). Conclusion: Mucosal flap combined with silicone keel is an effective technique for preventing and treating anterior commissure adhesion. The effect of pedicled intralaryngea lmucosal flap is better.

MODY11 induced by heterozygous mutations of a novel B lymphocyte kinase / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

To characterize the clinical and molecular features of a patient with maturity-onset diabetes of the young 11(MODY11) and literature review. The patient was a 30-year-old female with hyperglycemia for 2 years. Failure to thrivea, primary amenorrhea, intellectual impairment, and severe hyperlipidemia were present at the same time. A novel mutations of the B lymphocyte kinase gene(BLK) c. 1025C>T(p.A342V) was found in the patient. Literature review revealed that there were more than ten mutation sites in BLK-MODY11. Some of them had hyperglycemia, over weight or systemic lupus erythematosus. To date, the clinical characteristics of the patient, such as growth retardation, primary amenorrhea, and intellectual impairment have not been reported in MODY11. Our clinical report further expands the clinical presentations and variabilities of MODY11.

Relationship between NLRP3 activation level of inflammasome and the change of cognitive functions in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the activation level of Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the change of cognitive functions in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A total of 88 patients with acute ischemic stroke in Department of Neurology from October 2018 to July 2020 were selected as case group and 100 healthy physical examinees were selected as control group.Peripheral blood of the case group and the control group was collected, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by centrifugation.Then the NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression were detected by Western blot.The cognitive function of patients with acute ischemic stroke was detected by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The differences in expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β were compared between the case group and the control group.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and MoCA score.Logistic multivariate regression was used to analyze the relationship between expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β and the cognitive dysfunction.Results:(1)Western blot results showed that NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β expressions in PBMCs cells in the case group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (2)The expression level of NLRP3 in stroke patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 8 points was significantly higher than that in patients without hypertension, hyperlipidemia and NIHSS score<8 points ( P<0.05); (3)The incidence of cognitive dysfunction in the case group was 34.09% (30/88). The MoCA scores of the cognitive dysfunction group and the non-cognitive dysfunction group were 20 (24, 28) and 27 (26, 28) points respectively, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05); (4)Pearson correlation analysis showed that NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-1β expression in PBMCs cells were negatively correlated with MoCA scores ( r=-0.426, -0.396, -0.417, -0.320 respectively, all P<0.05). (5)Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia, NIHSS scores, frontotemporal lobe infarction, and NLRP3 expression were the influencing factors for the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with acute ischemic stroke have high activated NLRP3 inflammasome, and its activation degree is closely related to the condition and the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction after stroke.Targeted inhibition or regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation may become a new idea of neuroprotection for acute ischemic stroke.

Analysis of renal glucose threshold and related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of renal glucose threshold and related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:According to the cut-off point of normal renal glucose threshold(RT G 8.9-10 mmol/L), 107 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of our hospital were divided into three groups: high RT G group(RT G>10 mmol/L), medium RT G group(8.9 mmol/L≤RT G≤10 mmol/L), and low RT G group(RT G<8.9 mmol/L). The clinical data and biochemical characteristics of each group were collected and analyzed. Results:The proportions of patients with high, medium, and low RT G of type 2 diabetes mellitus were 56%, 29%, and 15%, respectively. There were significant differences in RT G value, age, course of disease, body mass index(BMI), fasting plasma glucose(FPG), HbA 1C, total cholesterol(TC), serum creatinine, mean blood glucose(MBG), and 24-hour urine glucose between high and medium RT G groups. RT G, gender, BMI, FPG, HbA 1C, TC, and MBG in patients with high RT G group were different from those in low RT G group. Only RT G revealed a difference between medium and low RT G groups. Correlation analysis showed that RT G was positively correlated with gender, age, BMI, HbA 1C, TC, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C). Regression analysis showed that BMI, HbA 1C, and LDL-C were the related factors affecting the RT G of patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion:There is a larger proportion of patients with high RT G in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Their BMI, HbA 1C, and LDL-C are associated with RT G in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of pre-existing antibody on seroconversion rate after influenza vaccination / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of pre-existing antibody on seroconversion rate after influenza vaccination.Methods:This study recruited 1 900 healthy volunteers to receive influenza split vaccines in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region and Yunnan Province from September 2009 to October 2018. Hemagglutinin agglutination inhibition assay was used to detect the titers of specific antibodies in blood samples collected before vaccination and 28 d after vaccination and the effects of pre-existing antibody on the seroconversion to different influenza vaccine components were analyzed.Results:Trend analysis showed that with the increasing titer of pre-existing antibody, the seroconversion rates to A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria and B/Yamagata vaccine components were gradually decreased (χ 2=121.76, P<0.001; χ 2=67.58, P<0.001; χ 2=45.25, P<0.001; χ 2=54.55, P<0.001). After adjusting for factors such as region, gender and age, multivariate logistic regression showed that pre-existing antibody titer equal to or higher than 40 was an independent factor that affected the seroconversion to A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria vaccine components, and the adjusted OR (95%CI) values were 2.50(2.00-3.13)、1.64(1.35-2.00) and 2.50(1.79-3.45), respectively. Conclusions:The seroconversion rate to each vaccine component was negatively correlated with the pre-existing antibody titer. The factor that pre-existing antibody titer equal to or higher than 40 was detrimental to the seroconversion to A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria vaccine components, but had no significant influence on B/Yamagata seroconversion.

Correlation between the residual amount of decellularization reagents in common tissue materials and cytotoxicity / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To study the correlation between the residual amounts of commonly used tissue decellularization reagents like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100, sulfobetaine 10 (SB-10) and cytotoxicity, and to find the safety threshold for controlling the residual of the reagent.Methods:SDS, Triton X-100, SB-10 solutions of different concentrations were prepared, and the cytotoxicity of solutions of different concentrations was detected by L-929 cells and MC3T3-E1 cells according to the method of GB/T 16886.5. The mass concentration range of the above three decellularization reagents was refined, and the threshold for the residual non-cytotoxicity of a single reagent was determined. Mix the three reagents in pair or three blends, and determine the threshold of non-cytotoxicity after the reagents are mixed by cytotoxicity test.Results:SDS, Triton X-100 and SB-10 caused L-929 cells to produce cytotoxic concentration values of 4×10 -3, 2×10 -2 and 6×10 -1 mg/ml, and MC3T3-E1 cells 6×10 -3, 4×10 -2 and 2 mg/ml. The toxicity trend of the three reagents is SDS>Triton X-100>SB-10. When three reagents at critical concentrations are mixed in pairs or three, they have no cytotoxicity to L-929 cells and MC3T3-E1 cells. Conclusions:When using the above three decellularization reagents to prepare decellularized scaffolds, a variety of reagent cleaning procedures should be used to efficiently clean the tissues so that the residual amount of reagents is below the critical value to ensure the biological safety of the decellularized scaffolds.

Research on mechanism of abnormal cerebrovascular cell communication and brain diseases / 中国药理学通报

Brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer s disease, epilepsy, have always been worldwide problems that endanger human health and are costly disease from societal perspectives. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the relationship between components of neurovascular unit (cerebrovascular endothelial cell, microglia, astrocyte and neuron) and brain diseases. Not only have their structures changed during the pathological process, but also coupling communication and functions have changed accordingly. On the basis of summarizing previous studies on the abnormalities in intercellular communication and its mechanism with brain disorders, this review is expected to find novel targets or therapeutic treatment for neuropsychiatric diseases.

Progress in the role of leptin in immune response / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Leptin, a peptide hormone discovered in the 1990s, arouses interest as it can regulate the body′s metabolism. In recent years, many studies have shown that leptin can promote the proliferation, activation and cytokine synthesis of various immune cells, and participate in innate and adaptive immune responses. This article reviewed the role of leptin and involved signaling pathways in immune response and the potential of leptin as a vaccine adjuvant.

Pathological Characteristics of Endometrium in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and the Relationship between Pathology and Obesity / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】 To investigate the endometrial pathological composition in abnormal uterine bleeding（AUB），and whether it related to age，body mass index，waist circumference or waist-hip ratio.【Methods】From January 2017 to June 2017，206 patients with AUB underwent diagnostic curettage or hysteroscopy and endometrial biosy in the daytime operating room of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat- sen University were included ，and age，height， weight ，waist circumference ，hip circumference and endometrial pathology were collected and analyzed statistically.【Results】① The proportions of Normal endometrium（NE），Disorder Proliferative Endometrium（DPE），Endometrial Polyp（EP），Endometrial Hyperplasia without atypia （EH without atypia），Endometrial Hyperplasia with atypia （EH with atypia），and Endometrial Cancer（EC，type I）were 32.52%，8.25%，6.31%，40.77%，9.22% and 2.91% respectively in endometrial pathological grouping. ②The age of EC group was 50.0（S=7.3）years old，which was older than that of NE group 42.0（S=13.0，P<0.01）. ③The abdominal circumference of EC group（89.0±4.9）cm were higher than that of NE group（81.4±5.4）cm（P<0.01）. WHR of EH with atypia group and EC group were（0.877±0.035）and（0.912±0.042） respectively，which were higher than that of NE group［（0.847±0.036）；P<0.01，P<0.01］.【Conclusions】About half of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding have endometrial hyperplasia，and the proportion of endometrial cancer is nearly 3%，both of which are associated with central obesity（such as increased waist circumference and/or waist-to-hip ratio）.