Effect of Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture on Postoperative Analgesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) in pain and functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).@*METHODS@#From June to September 2020, 94 participants were included from the Second Hospital of Tangshan and randomly assigned to the WAA group (47 cases) and the sham WAA group (47 cases) by a random number table, receiving real or sham WAA treatment, respectively. The primary outcome measure involved the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and in motion. The secondary outcomes involved the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joints, straight-leg raising time, postoperative weight-bearing time, sufentanil consumption within 48 h of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th postoperative days at rest and in motion was significantly lower in the WAA group than that of the sham WAA group (P<0.01). The ROM on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd PODs was significantly higher in the WAA group than that of the sham WAA group (P<0.01). In comparison to the sham WAA group, the sufentanil consumption within 48 h of PCA pump was significantly less in the WAA group (156.3 ± 12.2 µg vs. 128.8 ± 9.8 µg, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in active straight-leg raising time, postoperative weight-bearing time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#WAA could alleviate post-TKA pain, improve knee joint function, and reduce the sufentanil consumption within 48 h of PCA pump. WAA is a safe and effective treatment in the perioperative analgesic management for TKA.

Comparison of three methods for establishing rat peri-implantitis model / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficiency and effect of establishing rat peri-implantitis model by traditional cotton thread ligation and local injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) around the implant, as well as the combination of the two methods.@*METHODS@#Left side maxillary first molars of 39 male SD rats were extracted, and titanium implants were implanted after four weeks of healing. After 4 weeks of implant osseointegration, 39 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Cotton thread ligation (n=12), local injection of LPS around the implant (n=12), and the two methods combined (n=12) were used to induce peri-implantitis, the rest 3 rats were untreated as control group. All procedures were conducted under 5% isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks and 4 weeks after induction through carbon dioxide asphyxiation method. The maxilla of the rats in the test groups were collected and marginal bone loss was observed by micro-CT. The gingival tissues around the implants were collected for further real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, specifically the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI) of each rat in the experimental group were recorded before induction of inflammation and before death.@*RESULTS@#After 4 weeks of implantation, the osseointegration of implants were confirmed. All the three test groups showed red and swollen gums, obvious marginal bone loss around implants. After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of inflammation induction, PD, GI and BOP of the three test groups increased compared with those before induction, but only BOP was statistically significant among the three test groups (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks of inflammation induction, marginal bone loss was observed at each site in the cotton thread ligation group and the combined group. At each site, the bone resorption in the combined group was greater than that in the cotton thread ligation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), bone resorption was observed at some sites of some implants in LPS local injection group. At the end of 4 weeks of inflammation induction, marginal bone loss was observed at all sites in each group. The marginal bone loss in the cotton thread ligation group and the combined group was greater than that in the LPS local injection group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks and 4 weeks of induction, the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the test groups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with local injection of LPS around the implant, cotton thread ligature and the two methods combined can induce peri-implantitis in rats better and faster.

Clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to April 2021, 11 patients with cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 5 to 46 years, with a course of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity of 5 months to 8 years. The degree of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity was degree Ⅰ in one patient, degree Ⅱ in nine patients, and degree Ⅲ in one patient. In the first stage, according to the sizes of neck scars, one rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 200 to 600 mL was placed in the back. The expansion time was 4 to 12 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 3.0 to 3.5 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, free expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps with areas of 10 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×13 cm were cut out to repair the wounds with areas of 9 cm×6 cm to 23 cm×12 cm which was formed after cervical cicatectomy. The main trunk of thoracodorsal artery and vein were selected for end-to-end anastomosis with facial artery and vein, and the donor sites were directly closed. The survival of flaps and healing of flap donor sites were observed on the 14th day post surgery. The appearances and cicatrix contracture deformity of the flaps, recovery of cervical function, and scar hyperplasia of donor sites were followed up. Results: On the 14th day post surgery, the flaps of ten patients survived, while ecchymosis and epidermal necrosis occurred in the center of flap of one patient and healed 2 weeks after dressing change. On the 14th day post surgery, the flap donor sites of 11 patients all healed well. During the follow-up of 6-12 months post surgery, the flaps of ten patients were similar to the skin around the recipient site in texture and color, while the flap of one patient was slightly swollen. All of the 11 patients had good recovery of cervical function and no obvious scar hyperplasia nor contracture in the flaps or at the donor sites. Conclusions: Application of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can restore the appearance and function of the neck, and cause little damage to the donor site in reconstructing the cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns, which is worthy of clinical reference and application.

Effects of exosomes from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on pulmonary vascular endothelial cells injury in septic mice and its mechanism / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of exosomes from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) on pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) injury in septic mice and its mechanism. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The primary ADSCs were isolated and cultured from the discarded fresh adipose tissue of 3 patients (female, 10-25 years old), who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University undergoing abdominal surgery, and the cell morphology was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope on the 5th day. The expressions of CD29, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD73, and CD90 of ADSCs in the third passage were detected by flow cytometry. The third to the fifth passage of ADSCs were collected, and their exosomes from the cell supernatant were obtained by differential ultracentrifugation, and the shape, particle size, and the protein expressions of CD9, CD63, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101), and β-actin of exosomes were detected, respectively, by transmission electron microscopy, nano-particle tracking analysis and Western blotting. Twenty-four adult male BALB/c mice were adopted and were divided into normal control group, caecal ligation perforation (CLP) alone group, and CLP+ADSC-exosome group with each group of 8 according to random number table (the same grouping method below) and were treated accordingly. At 24 h after operation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels of mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and lung tissue morphology of mice was detected by hematoxylin-eosin and myeloperoxidase staining, and the expression of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) of mouse lung cells was detected by immunofluorescence method. Primary PMVECs were obtained from 1-month-old C57 mice regardless gender by tissue block method. The expression of CD31 of PMVECs was detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The third passage of PMVECs was co-cultured with ADSCs derived exosomes for 12 h, and the phagocytosis of exosomes by PMVECs was detected by PKH26 kit. The third passage of PMVECs were adopted and were divided into blank control group, macrophage supernatant alone group, and macrophage supernatant+ADSC-exosome group, with 3 wells in each group, which were treated accordingly. After 24 h, the content of reactive oxygen species in cells was detected by flow cytometry, the expression of 8-OHdG in cells was detected by immunofluorescence, and Transwell assay was used to determine the permeability of cell monolayer. The number of samples in above were all 3. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference t test. Results: The primary ADSCs were isolated and cultured to day 5, growing densely in a spindle shape with a typical swirl-like. The percentages of CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD90 positive cells of ADSCs in the third passage were all >90%, and the percentages of CD34 and CD45 positive cells were <5%. Exosomes derived from ADSCs of the third to fifth passages showed a typical double-cavity disc-like structure with an average particle size of 103 nm, and the protein expressions of CD9, CD63 and TSG101 of exosomes were positive, while the protein expression of β-actin of exosomes was negative. At 24 h after operation, compared with those in normal control group, both the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β of mice serum in CLP alone group were significantly increased (with t values of 28.76 and 29.69, respectively, P<0.01); compared with those in CLP alone group, both the content of TNF-α and IL-1β of mice serum in CLP+ADSC-exosome group was significantly decreased (with t values of 9.90 and 4.76, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 24 h after surgery, the pulmonary tissue structure of mice in normal control group was clear and complete without inflammatory cell infiltration; compared with those in normal control group, the pulmonary tissue edema and inflammatory cell infiltration of mice in CLP alone group were more obvious; compared with those in CLP alone group, the pulmonary tissue edema and inflammatory cell infiltration of mice in CLP+ADSC-exosome group were significantly reduced. At 24 h after operation, endothelial cells in lung tissues of mice in 3 groups showed positive expression of CD31; compared with that in normal control group, the fluorescence intensity of 8-OHdG positive cells of the lung tissues of mice in CLP alone group was significantly increased, and compared with that in CLP alone group, the fluorescence intensity of 8-OHdG positive cells in the lung tissues of mice in CLP+ADSC-exosome group was significantly decreased. The PMVECs in the 3rd passage showed CD31 positive expression by immunofluorescence, and the result of flow cytometry showed that CD31 positive cells accounted for 99.5%. At 12 h after co-culture, ADSC-derived exosomes were successfully phagocytose by PMVECs and entered its cytoplasm. At 12 h after culture of the third passage of PMVECs, compared with that in blank control group, the fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species of PMVECs in macrophage supernatant alone group was significantly increased (t=15.73, P<0.01); compared with that in macrophage supernatant alone group, the fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species of PMVECs in macrophage supernatant+ADSC-exosome group was significantly decreased (t=4.72, P<0.01). At 12 h after culture of the third passage of PMVECs, and the 8-OHdG positive fluorescence intensity of PMVECs in macrophage supernatant alone group was significantly increased; and compared with that in blank control group, the 8-OHdG positive fluorescence intensity of PMVECs in macrophage+ADSC-exosome supernatant group was between blank control group and macrophage supernatant alone group. At 12 h after culture of the third passage PMVECs, compared with that in blank control group, the permeability of PMVECs monolayer in macrophage supernatant alone group was significantly increased (t=6.34, P<0.01); compared with that in macrophage supernatant alone group, the permeability of PMVECs monolayer cells in macrophage supernatant+ADSC-exosome group was significantly decreased (t=2.93, P<0.05). Conclusions: Exosomes derived from ADSCs can ameliorate oxidative damage in mouse lung tissue, decrease the level of reactive oxygen species, 8-OHdG expression, and permeability of PMVECs induced by macrophage supernatant.

Effective Components of Periploca forrestii Against Rheumatoid Arthritis by Targeting TNF-α / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the effective components of Periploca forrestii against rheumatoid arthritis（RA）by targeting tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. MethodThe preliminary research of the research group found that the alcohol extracts of P. forrestii （CDLF and CQAF） had significant anti-RA activities，and 10 monomers with such activities were identified. The anti-RA activities of active monomers，CDLF， and CQAF were compared by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）with interleukin（IL）-6，nitric oxide （NO），IL-1β， and prostaglandin E2（PGE2）as indicators. Network pharmacology was employed to analyze the possible molecular mechanism of P. forrestii against RA. The targeting ability of P. forrestii chemical monomers to TNF-α was verified by TNF-α molecular docking，surface plasmon resonance （SPR）， and TNF-α-induced L929 injury model. ResultELISA showed that the anti-RA activities of CDLF and CQAF were significantly stronger than those of identified 10 active monomers. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the core targets of P. forrestii against RA were signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 （STAT3），TNF， and IL-6. Gene Ontology（GO） analysis revealed collagen catabolism，inflammatory response，positive regulation of nuclear factor kappa-B（NF-κB） transcription factor activity，and positive regulation of B cell proliferation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （EKGG） pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated TNF signaling pathway，phosphoinositide 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt） signaling pathway，NF-κB signaling pathway，Toll-like receptor signaling pathway，mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway， etc. Verification experiments by TNF-α molecular docking，SPR， and TNF-α-induced L929 injury model found that CDLF and CQAF had good binding activities and could manifestly antagonize TNF-α. However， the active components separated and identified from CDLF and CQAF did not show the same anti-TNF-α activity. ConclusionThe CDLF and CQAF of P. forrestii may treat RA by targeting TNF-α. The experiments found that the isolated chemical components had weaker binding activity to TNF-α than CDLF and CQAF. Meanwhile，the research group isolated chemical components with a minimum mass fraction of 0.25 ng·g-1 from P. forrestii， which suggested that the active components generated by binding to TNF-α with anti-RA activities were presumedly trace components .

Association between serum C3 and progression of renal function in IgA nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum C3 and progression of renal function in IgA nephropathy.Methods:A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with IgA nephropathy confirmed by renal biopsy who were admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2011 to June 2020 and the patients were followed up until January 2021. Patients with secondary IgA nephropathy, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<30 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, lack of baseline serum C3 or creatinine, and follow-up time<6 months were excluded. The clinical data, laboratory examination and renal pathology were collected. The threshold effect analysis was used to obtain the cut-off point, and inflection point and 95% confidence interval were obtained using bootstrapping resampling technique. According to the cut-off point, the patients were divided into serum C3<0.97 g/L group and C3≥0.97 g/L group. The baseline data between the two groups were compared. Cox regression model was used to analyze the correlation between serum C3 level and renal function progression. Results:A total of 414 patients were enrolled in this study, with 145 males (35.0%), and age of (35.15±9.18) years old. The baseline eGFR was 77.80(46.67, 106.10) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, and the serum C3 was (1.04 ± 0.19) g/L. There were 153 patients with serum C3<0.97 g/L and 261 patients with serum C3≥0.97 g/L. Compared to patients with serum C3≥0.97 g/L, those patients with serum C3<0.97 g/L were younger and had higher proportion of females, higher levels of hemoglobin and eGFR, and lower levels of mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, 24 h urinary protein, IgA and C4 (all P<0.05). The relationship between serum C3 and progression of renal function was found to be U-shaped by smooth curve fitting. After adjustment for confounding factors such as age, sex, mean arterial pressure, serum uric acid, 24 h urinary protein, and renal pathology (MESTC), the results of the threshold effect and multivariate Cox regression showed, for patients with C3<0.97 g/L, the risk of renal function progression decreased by 40% for every 0.1 g/L increase of C3 ( HR=0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.94, P=0.024), but for patients with C3≥0.97 g/L, every 0.1 g/L increase in serum C3 increased the risk of renal function progression by 27%( HR=1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.57, P=0.027). The inflection point was 0.97(95% CI 0.92-1.01) g/L. Conclusions:Serum C3 is nonlinear correlated with the progression of renal function in patients with IgA nephropathy. Serum C3 level maintaining at 0.92-1.01 g/L is associated with better renal prognosis.

Correlation between hemoglobin and progression of renal function in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To explore the correlation between hemoglobin (Hb) and progression of renal function in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN).Methods:Data of biopsy-proven PLN patients from January 2010 to February 2019 in Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into stable renal function group and renal function progression group according to changes of renal function including serum creatinine doubling/end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics were compared between the two groups. Cox regression and smooth curve fitting of generalized additive model analysis were used to explore the correlation between Hb and progression of renal function.Results:A total of 87 patients were included in this study. The age was (34.97±11.95) years old and 79 cases (90.80%) were females. During follow-up of 19.0(6.5, 43.5) months, renal function of 15 patients (17.24%) progressed. Compared with stable renal function group, Hb level of patients in renal function progression group were lower ( t=3.887, P<0.001), and serum creatinine ( Z=-2.466, P=0.003) and uric acid ( t=-2.154, P=0.034) were higher. As to the pathological characteristics, the proportion of class lupus nephritis-IV, renal tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis in renal function progression group were higher than those in stable renal function group, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that high Hb was an independent protective factor of renal function progression in PLN patients ( HR=0.893, 95% CI 0.836-0.954, P=0.001). The risk of progression to serum creatinine doubling/ESRD would decrease by 10.7% when Hb increased by 1 unit (g/L). Smooth curve fitting of generalized additive model analysis showed that Hb was linearly correlated with the risk of renal function progression ( P=0.100). Receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the risk of doubling serum creatinine/ESRD in PLN patients would be relatively low when Hb level was above 77 g/L (area under the curve 0.788, best threshold 77 g/L, sensitivity 0.600, specificity 0.903). Conclusions:Hb is closely related to progression of renal function in patients with PLN. More attention and management of Hb levels in patients with PLN can play an important role in improving renal prognosis.

Clinical effect of large medium thickness skin graft on the back combined with autologous razor thick skin replantation to the back donor area in the treatment of giant congenital melanocytic nevus of the upper limb in children / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of large medium thickness skin graft on the back and scalp replantation in the back donor area after complete resection of giant congenital melanoma nevus (GCMN) in children′s upper limbs.Methods:From April 2017 to may 2020, 16 pediatric patients with GCMN of upper limbs were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, including 9 males and 7 females, aged from 2 years to 7 months to 12 years. Giant melanoma nevus area 14 cm×11 cm-23 cm×20 cm, the wound after removing the skin of giant melanocytic nevus of the limb was covered with vaseline oil gauze for 2-3 days, and then a large medium thickness skin graft was cut on the back with a drum skin extractor for transplantation. The wound in the back skin donor area was replanted with a blade thick scalp.Results:The effect of excision of giant nevus of upper limb and skin grafting on the wound of back medium thickness donor area in 16 pediatric patients was satisfactory, and there were no serious complications such as skin necrosis and poor survival. Plasma swelling was formed under the skin graft of one child′s limb, which healed after opening and drainage and three dressing changes. Anti-scar and rehabilitation treatment was performed on the limb and donor site.The patients were followed up for 6-18 months. There was no obvious scar hyperplasia and contracture in the skin graft area and donor area. The skin color and elasticity of the back and limb skin graft area were close to the normal skin around the wound, and the activities of elbow joint, wrist joint and interphalangeal joint were not limited. The parents of the pediatric were satisfied with the function and appearance of the limb skin graft area and back skin donor area of giant nevus.Conclusions:The function and appearance of large medium thickness skin graft on the back after excision of congenital giant nevus of upper limb in pediatric are better; There is no obvious scar formation after scalp replantation in the back donor area, and the repair effect is better.

Expression and significance of TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein in liver specimens of patients with alveolar hepatic echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To detect the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), p38MAPK and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) protein in the liver specimens of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, and to investigate the potential role of TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein in hepatic fibrosis caused by hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Methods A total of 20 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were enrolled as study subjects, and hepatic specimens were sampled from the sites within 0.5 cm (Group A) and 0.5 to 1.5 cm from hepatic alveolar echinococcosis lesions (Group B), while normal liver specimens sampled from the sites 2 cm and greater from hepatic alveolar echinococcosis lesions served as controls (Group C). The fibrosis of liver specimens was pathological examined using HE and Masson staining, and the expression of TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein was quantified in liver tissues using Western blotting. The associations of TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein expression with hepatic fibrosis were assessed. Results HE staining showed the malaligned structure of hepatocytes and destruction of the structure of hepatic lobules at various degrees in liver specimens in groups A and B, with hepatocyte degeneration, atrophy and necrosis, hyperplasia of fibrous tissues and eosinophilic granulocyte infiltration seen, while no abnormal pathological alterations of liver tissues, normal hepatocyte structure and morphology and uniform size, no malaligned structure of hepatocytes, clear structure of hepatic lobules, no or mild hepatocyte degeneration or necrosis, and no eosinophilic granulocyte infiltration were seen in Group C. Masson staining showed that there was hyperplasia of multiple fibrous connective tissues in the liver portal areas in groups A and B, with fibrosis seen in hepatic lobules, while no obvious pathological changes were seen in Group C. There were significant differences seen in TGF-β1 (P < 0.001), p38MAPK (P < 0.01) and BMP-7 protein (P < 0.05) expression in liver tissues in groups A, B and C, and higher TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein expression was quantified in groups A and B than in Group C (all P values < 0.05), while greater TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein expression was detected in Group B than in Group C (all P values < 0.05). The expression of TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein correlated positively with the severity of hepatic fibrosis (r = 0.866, 0.702 and 0.801, all P values < 0.05), and there were significant differences in TGF-β1 (F = 72.580, P < 0.01), p38MAPK (χ2 = 31.705, P < 0.01) and BMP-7 protein expression (χ2 = 48.388, P < 0.01) among liver tissues with different degrees of fibrosis. The TGF-β1 protein expression correlated positively with p38MAPK and BMP-7 protein expression (r = 0.607 and 0.702, both P values < 0.001), and the BMP-7 protein expression also correlated positively with p38MAPK protein expression (r = 0.456, P < 0.001). Conclusion The interaction among TGF-β1, p38MAPK and BMP-7 jointly participates in the development of hepatic fibrosis induced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Analysis of association between segmental glomerulosclerosis and renal function decline in IgA nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between segmental glomerulosclerosis and the change of renal function in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. The patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN who were hospitalized in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2018 were included. Participants with a secondary cause of IgAN, without baseline serum creatinine or renal pathology data for Oxford classification, baseline estimated glomerulofiltration rate (eGFR)<30 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, follow-up time<6 months, or less than three times measurements of followed-up serum creatinine were excluded. The clinical data, laboratory tests and renal pathology data and so on were collected. Patients were divided into absence of segmental glomerulosclerosis (S0) group and segmental glomerulosclerosis (S1) group according to the Oxford classification. The generalized additive mixed model was used to analyze the associations of segmental glomerulosclerosis and longitudinal renal function decline (Renal function was evaluated by using the eGFR). Results:There were 280 patients included in this study, with 199 patients in S0 group, and 81 patients in S1 group. Compared with S0 group, patients in S1 group exhibited higher levels of triglyceride, serum uric acid as well as 24-hour urinary protein, and a lower level of eGFR, and had higher proportions of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis (T) (all P<0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, mean arterial pressure, 24-hour urinary protein, mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary hypercellularity (E), T and crescent (C) in the generalized additive mixed model, the effect value of S1 (the difference of baseline eGFR between S1 group and S0 group) was -14.09 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1. For every additional year, the eGFR of S0 group decreased 1.29 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 (95% CI 0.47-2.12, P=0.002) in average, and eGFR decline in S1 group had 2.85 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 more than that in S0 group [95% CI 1.05-4.64, P=0.002]. Conclusion:Segmental glomerulosclerosis is independently associated with the longitudinal decrease in renal function in patients with IgAN, which suggests therapies targeted for improving the early damages of segmental glomerulosclerosis may be essential to delay the renal function decline progression.

High lights of advances in immunology research in 2017 / 中国免疫学杂志

During the past year,there has been remarkable advances in the field of immunological research at home and abroad.In the field of basic immunology,scientists have identified new roles of variable regulatory mechanisms,such as epigenetic modifications,RNA modifications,protein post-translational modifications,energy metabolisms in the development and functions of immune system.In the field of translational medicine and tumor immunotherapy,scientists have identified novel mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression,providing new target for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor.Notably,immunological researchers in China have made a number of innovative achievements in many areas of immunological researches in 2017.In this paper,we summarized the representative advances in the field of immunological research in 2017,and discussed the leading edge and challenging directions in this field.

Association of plasma metallothionein 3 and its polymorphisms with childhood autism / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the association of plasma metallothionein 3 (MT3) and its polymorphisms with childhood autism,in order to provide the objective evidence for autistic etiology and molecular diagnosis.Methods A total of 132 autistic children were recruited from several special autism training schools in Wuhan and the Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2011 and November 2014.Three hundred and sixteen healthy children from the out-patients of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University during the same period were enrolled as healthy controls.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to measure plasma MT3 protein levels in a dataset of 81 cases and 80 controls,while eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located in MT3 gene were genotyped in another greater dataset that included 132 cases and 236 controls by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry within the Sequenom platform.Results Plasma MT3 protein level was significantly lower in autistic group compared to healthy controls [(740.0 ± 327.4) ng/L vs (1 007.1 ± 554.3) ng/L,P ＜ 0.001],particularly for boys when stratified by gender (P =0.005).No difference existed in any allele or genotype frequencies between the 2 groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The selected autistic children harbored abnormal expression profiles of plasma MT3 protein,which may have no connection with its gene polymorphisms.

Research on Rapid Initial Adaption to the Environment of a Plateau / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

We designed two types of pre-adaption plans for this study. One was a pre-adaption training with progressive intermittent hypoxia, with a constant lower pressure oxygen tank used in the plain before arriving at the plateau (PG). The other was by progressively increasing the time of exposure to hypoxia with oxygen supplied in stages after radical plateau (RG). By testing the blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and quality of sleep after arriving at the 3800 m high plateau, results showed that the pre-acclimatization and radical groups performed better than the control group (CG). Both strategies were equivalent in terms of effects and principles in providing more flexible choices for acclimatization.

Feasibility study on magnetic coupling-driven pulsate blood pump / 医用生物力学

Objective To propose the design of a pulsate blood pump driven by magnetic coupling and verify its feasibility. Methods The blood pump was designed based on the magnetic transmission reciprocating force model and the push-and-pull structure, and the coupling force was calculated by building the magnetic force-driven model. The prototype of the blood pump was then manufactured, on which the extracorporeal circulation simulation test was conducted to obtain the pressure and flow rate. Results Physiological saline was used as the circulation medium. When the afterload was fixed and increase the preload, the output of the blood pump would decrease, but showing no obvious linear trend. While the preload was fixed and increase the afterload, the output of the blood pump was reduced, showing a linear trend. With the driving frequency set as 75 per minute, and the preload and afterload adjusted in the range of 0.665-3.990 kPa (5-30 mmHg) and 5.320-11.970 kPa (40-90 mmHg), respectively, the output of the blood pump could reach 2.0-3.1 L/min while guaranteeing the linear relationship. Conclusions The proposed magnetic coupling-driven pulsate blood pump can basically meet the need of extracorporeal membrane pulmonary circulation, while it still needs further improvement. The research results have a valuable application prospect, especially with great significance in replacement of blood pump currently used in the extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment in clinic.

Isothermal chamber for tidal volume testing equipment / 医用生物力学

Objective To propose a design method of isothermal chamber for tidal volume testing equipment. Methods According to the State Equation of Ideal Gas, the gas volume was accurately calculated and injected into an airtight chamber, and then the pressure and temperature changes in the chamber were measured. To keep constant temperature, the fine copper wire was padded into the chamber to absorb the heat produced by the gas compressed during the injection. Results For the chamber of 1L, 300 g/L copper should be filled at least and with not more than 100 mL gas to keep the temperature inside the chamber isothermal. The experiment system was then connected with ventilator to compare the measured tidal volume and given tidal volume. The results showed that the experimental error was within 2%, which proved the accuracy of this testing equipment. Conclusions The establishment of the physical model of isothermal chambers can accurately detect the tidal volume of ventilator, which provides a theoretical basis and data support for factory inspection and supply more choices for ventilator maintenance in clinic.

Impact of peptide binding domain of heat shock protein 72 on epithelial to mesenchymal transition / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of peptide-binding domain (PBD) of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rat renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods The expressions of wild-type HSP72,mutant of HSP72 lacking peptide binding domain (HSP72-△PBD) and HSP72-PBD were induced by plasmid transfection.NRK-52E ceils were stimulated by TGF-β1 for 48 h.The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-cadherin,HSP72 and Smad3/p-Smad3 were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence.Results After NRK-52E cells were stimulated by TGF-β 1 (10 μg/L) for 48 h,the expression of α-SMA was increased and the protein level of E-cadherin was decreased.Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that over-expression of both HSP72 and PBD inhibited TGF-β1-induced up-regulation of protein α-SMA expression,down-regulation of protein E-cadherin.However,overexpression of HSP72-△PBD did not change the protein level of E-cadherin and α-SMA.In addition,over-expression of HSP72 and PBD significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad3.Conclusion Inhibition of Smad3 activation and EMT by HSP72 is associated with the function of PBD.

Characteristics of "pre-ALIP" in bone marrow sections of patients with acute myeloid leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

To detect the characteristics of "pre-ALIP" and to investigate their relevance with the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by computer image procession technology, bone marrow (BM) was collected by aspiration/trephine biopsy from AML patients during the complete remission (CR). BM sections were stained by HGF (haematoxylin-Giemsa-acid fuchsin) and photographed by optical microscope imaging system. 4 kinds of computer image segmentation technologies were compared to select the best one for detecting the localization and quantitation of the precursor cells. Planimetry was combined with morphology to segment bone trabeculae. The number of single and double-cluster precursor cells and their distance from bone trabeculae was detected with Euclidean distance change method in BM images of AML patients, and compared with the normal controls. Moreover, the morphological characteristics of "pre-ALIP" were investigated, and the correlation with the development of AML was analyzed. The results showed that the computer image segmentation method based on morphology could identify the precursor cells and bone trabeculae more exactly in BM image, as compared with the methods of 8-Sobel operater. Canny operator and watershed algorithm. Bone trabeculae could be segmented with combinative methods of morphology and planimetry. The number of single precursor cells (19.27 ± 11.60)/mm(2) and double-cluster precursor cells (1.77 ± 1.76)/mm(2) in CR group were higher than that in normal controls (p < 0.05). The distance of single precursor cells from bone trabeculae in CR group were closer to bone trabeculae than that in controls [(230.12 ± 97.68) µm vs (260.92 ± 99.88 µm)] (p < 0.05), but the distance of double-cluster precursor cells from bone trabeculae in AML patients was (274.56 ± 139.48) µm, which showed no statistically significant different from controls (p > 0.05), while the double-cluster precursor cells showed the tendency of migrating to the intermediate zone of bone trabeculae compared with the single precursor cells in CR group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the structure of "pre-ALIP" in BM tissue exists before the occurrence of ALIP. The characteristics of "pre-ALIP" are single and double-cluster precursor cells with abnormal localization or quantitation, which showed correlation with the development of AML.

Advances of studies on relieving of exercise-induced fatigue by transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation / 中国针灸

The occurrence of exercise-induced fatigue can be delayed and exercise endurance can be strengthened by removing lactic acid, decreasing serum creatine kinase, elevating hemoglobin, maintaining blood glucose, eliminating free radical, regulating amino acid metabolism and retaining heart rate with transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS). Problems in the above researching field are generalized in this paper. For instance, the point selection is relatively simple; the selection of wave band, frequency and duration during the application of TEAS apparatus are not unified; and observation indices mainly remained in the aspect of biochemistry. It also prospects the future directions of TEAS relieving exercise-induced fatigue including selecting acupuncture point by differentiation of symptoms and signs, setting uniform standards for TEAS, and studying the mechanisms of TEAS relieving exercise-induced fatigue by testing gonadal axis, adrenal axis, gene and protein.

Effect of octacostyl alcohol preparation on blood free radical metabolism and cardiac endocrine function of rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of octacostyl alcohol preparation on the motor function, blood free radical metabolism and cardiac endocrine function of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of exercise fatigue was used for this study. The rats were made to perform continuous exhaustive exercise, and the total exercise time of the rats till exhaustion was recorded followed by examination of the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), plasma endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with rats without interventions for exercise fatigue, the rats receiving octacostyl alcohol preparation had significant prolonged exercise time till exhaustion (P<0.05), with also significantly enhanced serum SOD activity (P<0.05), significantly decreased MDA level and plasma ET (P<0.05) and increased CGRP and ANP levels (P<0.05). Octacostyl alcohol preparation produced more favorable effect on all the indices measured than pyruvic acid-creatine (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The octacostyl alcohol preparation can promote the motor function, increases blood antioxidase activity, suppressed lipid peroxidation in rats engaged in exhaustive exercise. The preparation also produces favorable effect on cardiac endocrine function for heart protection during exercise.</p>

Neuroprotective effects of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor on the hypoxic-ischemic brain damage of neonatal rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on neurological function after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six HIBD models of neonatal Wistar rats were made by shearing right arteria carotis communis and then breathing 8% O(2)+92%N(2) for two hours. The models were divided into two groups randomly: the bFGF trial group and the normal saline control group. Each group had forty-eight rats. The other forty-eight neonatal Wistar rats were taken into the sham operation group. Forty rats were taken from each group and sacrificed on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation, respectively, The pathological changes in the brain were observed by optical microscope and the expressions of nestin and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in hippocampal CA1 region were examined with immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation. The spatial cognitive capability of other eight rats which were taken from each group respectively was evaluated by using the Morris water maze at the age of 30 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) No brain damage was found in the sham operation group, the neurocytes were degenerative and necrotic in the control group of normal saline. The pathological manifestation of the brain damage in the bFGF trial group was milder than that of the normal saline control group. (2) Expression of nestin: The number of nestin-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region of control group on the 4 th, 7 th, 10 th, 17 th and 24 th days after the operation was significantly increased compared with that of the sham operation group at all time points, and the numbers of nestin-positive cells in hippocampal CA1 region of the trial group were higher than those of the sham operation group and the control group (P < 0.01). (3) The expression of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the neonatal rats reached peak on the 10th day after the operation in all the three groups. The integral optical density (IOD) of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the control group was higher than that of the sham-operation group at all time points, and the IOD of GAP-43 in hippocampal CA1 region of the trial group was higher than those of the sham operation group and the control group at all time points (P < 0.01 for all). (4) The latency to escape platform in control group (51.75 +/- 11.27s) was longer than that in trial group (40.32 +/- 11.48s) and the sham operation group (36.58 +/- 10.83s) (P < 0.05); the frequency of passing through the platform in control group (2.34 +/- 2.42) was less than that in trial group (5.08 +/- 3.86) and the sham operation group (7.03 +/- 3.62) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the sham operation group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) The expression of nestin and GAP-43 increased in hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal rats with HIBD, it may be involved in the activation of neural stem cells and the regeneration of neurocytes after HIBD. (2) The treatment with bFGF can improve the ability of learning and memory of neonatal rats with HIBD. (3) Exogenous bFGF could enhance the expression of nestin and GAP-43 in the brain of neonatal rats with HIBD, which may play an important role in restoration of neurons damaged due to hypoxia-ischemia.</p>