A dose-response correlation between smoking and severity of acute pancreatitis: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: Acute pancreatitis, among the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders, exhibits a continual rise in its incidence recent years. This study endeavor to explore the correlation between smoking exposure and the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Five hundred and eight patients diagnosed as acute pancreatitis (AP) were included in our data analysis. Patients were categorized based on their smoking pack-years into four groups: light, moderate, heavy, and non-smokers. Outcomes were classified as two: "mild acute pancreatitis (MAP)" and "moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) or severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)". We conducted propensity score matching (PSM) to adjust confounding factors and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Additionally, a dose-dependent association analysis between smoking exposure and the incidence rate of "MSAP or SAP" was performed. Results: Smokers exhibited a higher risk of "MSAP or SAP" compared to non-smokers, both before (17.1 vs. 54.9%, p < 0.001) and after (9.4 vs. 24.7%, p < 0.001) PSM. With an area under the ROC curve of 0.708, smoking showed a moderate level of predictive ability. Furthermore, propensity score matching analysis showed that patients who smoked compared to non-smokers had significantly higher risks of "MSAP or SAP" for light smoking (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.40-10.07, p = 0.008), moderate smoking (OR 4.94, 95% CI 2.23-10.92, p < 0.001), and heavy smoking (OR 8.08, 95% CI 3.39-19.25, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Smoking is an independent risk factor that can raise the severity of pancreatitis. Moreover, the severity of acute pancreatitis escalates in tandem with the accumulation of pack-years of smoking.

Huanglian Decoction treats Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway and reducing renal IgA deposition.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is a systemic vascular inflammatory disease. Huanglian Decoction (HLD) ameliorates renal injury in nephritis; however, the mechanism of action of HLD on HSPN has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the protective mechanism of HLD treatment in HSPN. The effects of HLD on HSPN biochemical indices, kidney injury and NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway were analyzed by biochemical analysis, ELISA, HE and PAS staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western Blot. In addition, the effects of HLD on HSPN cells were analyzed. We found that HLD treatment significantly reduced renal tissue damage, decreased the levels of IL-17, IL-18, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, and increased the levels of TP and ALB in HSPN mice. It also inhibited the deposition of IgA, IgG, and C3 in kidney tissues and significantly decreased the expression of IκBα, p-IκBα, NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1ß in kidney tissues and cells. In addition, PMA treatment inhibited the above-mentioned effects of HLD. These results suggested that HLD attenuates renal injury, IgA deposition, and inflammation in HSPN mice and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Cyclooctatetraene-Embedded Carbon Nanorings.

With the prosperity of the development of carbon nanorings, certain topologically or functionally unique units-embedded carbon nanorings have sprung up in the past decade. Herein, we report the facile and efficient synthesis of three cyclooctatetraene-embedded carbon nanorings (COTCNRs) that contain three (COTCNR1 and COTCNR2) and four (COTCNR3) COT units in a one-pot Yamamoto coupling. These nanorings feature hoop-shaped segments of Gyroid (G-), Diamond (D-), and Primitive (P-) type carbon schwarzites. The conformations of the trimeric nanorings COTCNR1 and COTCNR2 are shape-persistent, whereas the tetrameric COTCNR3 possesses a flexible carbon skeleton which undergoes conformational changes upon forming host-guest complexes with fullerenes (C60 and C70), whose co-crystals may potentially serve as fullerene-based semiconducting supramolecular wires with electrical conductivities on the order of 10-7 S cm-1 (for C60⊂COTCNR3) and 10-8 S cm-1 (for C70⊂COTCNR3) under ambient conditions. This research not only describes highly efficient one-step syntheses of three cyclooctatetraene-embedded carbon nanorings which feature hoop-shaped segments of distinctive topological carbon schwarzites, but also demonstrates the potential application in electronics of the one-dimensional fullerene arrays secured by COTCNR3.

Asperuloside alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression by promoting AMPK/mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy.

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a common anticancer chemotherapy drug, and myelosuppression is the most common serious side effect. Asperuloside (ASP), the active component of Hedyotis diffusa Willd., may have the effect of ameliorating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. This study aimed to explore the effect and possible mechanism of ASP on CTX-induced myelosuppression. Male SPF C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, CTX (25 mg/kg) group, CTX + granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (5 µg/kg) group, CTX + high-dose ASP (50 mg/kg) group and CTX + low-dose ASP (25 mg/kg) group, with six mice in each group. The body weight of mice was monitored every other day, the hematopoietic progenitor cell colony number was measured by colony forming unit, and the relevant blood indicators were detected. Femoral bone marrow was observed by hematoxylin-eosin, C-kit expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, and autophagy and adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting (WB). Then the AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin was used to interfere with AMPK/mTOR pathway. Results showed that ASP significantly increased the body weight of CTX-induced mice, increased the number of hematopoietic progenitor cells, the expression of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, GM-CSF, thrombopoietin and erythropoietin in blood, and the expression of C-kit in bone marrow. In addition, ASP further promoted the expression of Beclin1 and LC-3II/I induced by CTX, and regulated the protein expressions in the AMPK/mTOR pathway. The use of dorsomorphin inhibited the alleviation effect of ASP on CTX-induced myelosuppression and the promotion effect of ASP on autophagy. In conclusion, ASP alleviated CTX-induced myelosuppression by promoting AMPK/mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy.

[Effects of Ziyin Liangxue Formula Combined with Prednisone on Immune Function and ST2/IL-33 Pathway in Mice with Immune Thrombocytopenia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Ziyin Liangxue formula combined with prednisone on immune function and the ST2/IL-33 pathway in mice with immune thrombocytopenia. METHODS: In 40 BALB/c mice, 32 were constructed as immune thrombocytopenia mouse models by antiplatelet serum injection. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly divided into model group, Ziyin Liangxue formula group (0.2 ml/10 g), prednisone group (0.2 ml/10 g), and Ziyin Liangxue formula + prednisone group (0.2 ml/10 g), 8 mice in each group, and the other 8 mice were set as control group. The drugs were administered by gavage at the dose, and the model group and control group were given equal amounts of saline by gavage once a day for 2 weeks of continuous intervention. Blood samples and spleen tissues were collected, the peripheral platelet count was measured by automatic hematology analyzer, the pathological changes in spleen tissue was observed by HE staining, the levels of serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, interleukin (IL)-17, and peripheral blood thrombopoietin (TPO) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of IL-33, sST2, and ST2 in spleen tissue was detected by Western blot, and the cell counts of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the number of platelets, the level of TPO, TGF-ß, and Treg cells were significantly decreased (P <0.05), while the level of IL-17, Th17 cells, and the expression of IL-33, sST2, and ST2 protein were significantly increased in the model group (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the number of platelets, the level of TPO, TGF-ß, and Treg cells were significantly increased (P <0.05), while the level of IL-17, Th17 cells, and the expression of IL-33, sST2, and ST2 protein were significantly decreased in the Ziyin Liangxue formula + prednisone group (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Ziyin Liangxue formula + prednisone can effectively regulate Th17/Treg balance, thus effectively improve immune thrombocytopenia, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of ST2/IL-33 signaling pathway.

Asperuloside regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 through the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway.

Context: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant hematopoietic stem cell disease caused by excessive proliferation and abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Asperuloside (ASP) is considered to have good biological activity and may be a good anti-CML drug. Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects and possible mechanisms of ASP on the biological behavior of K562 cells based on RNA-seq. Materials and methods: The IC50 of ASP in K562 cells was calculated by the concentration-effect curve. Cell viability, apoptosis, and differentiation were detected by CCK8, flow cytometry, benzidine staining, and WB analysis, respectively. Further, RNA-seq was used to analyze the possible mechanism of ASP regulating K562 cells. Results: ASP significantly inhibited the proliferation, and promoted apoptosis and differentiation of K562 cells. A total of 117 differentially expressed genes were screened by RNA-seq, mainly involved in the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway. PD98059 was used to inhibit the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway in K562 cells, and results confirmed that PD98059 could not only inhibit the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, but also inhibit the regulation of ASP on the proliferation and differentiation of K562 cells. Conclusion: ASP inhibited the proliferation, promoted apoptosis and differentiation of K562 cells by regulating the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, and played a good anti-CML role.

Modified Del Nido cardioplegia versus St.Thomas cardioplegia for myocardial protection in adult patients with combined valve replacement / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To analyze the effect of myocardial protection between modified Del Nido cardioplegia and St. Thomas Hospital Cardioplegia in adult patients with aortic valve and mitral valve replacement. Methods     From January 2014 to June 2016, 140 patients underwent aortic valve and mitral valve replacement in our hospital. According to different cardioplegia, the patients were divided into two groups including a modified Del Nido cardioplegia group (70 patients, 37 males, 33 females at mean age of 53.13±9.52 years) and a St. Thomas cardioplegia group (70 patients, 32 males, 38 females, at age of 50.71±9.29 years). We collected clinical data of the patients before operation (T1), 2 h after aortic unclamping (T2), 24 h after operation (T3) and 48 h after operation (T4). Indexes of muscle enzymes including blood center creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) concentration and liver function indexes including urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations, and compared the postoperative and follow-up clinical data. Results     There was no statistical difference in age, weight, gender, ejection fraction baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were successfully completed  combined valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardiopulmonary time was no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). However, compared with St. Thomas cardioplegia group, modified Del Nido group was less in perfusion (1.19±0.39 vs. 2.99±0.75, P<0.001), shorter in aortic clamping time (P=0.003). No statistical difference was found in defibrillation rate after resuscitation between the two groups (P=0.779). Biochemical indicators were not statistically different at different time points between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion     Modified Del Nido cardioplegia has the same effect on myocardial protection with St. Thomas cardioplegia in adult patients. It reduces the frequency of reperfusion, and shortens the clamping time. There is no additional injury in the important organs such as liver, kidney. Modified Del Nido cardioplegia myocardial protection ability in adult heart valve surgery is feasible.

The value of MRI in monitoring incomplete healing of the uterine incision after abdominal delivery / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore MRI manifestations of incomplete healing of the uterine incision after abdominal delivery.Methods Nine patients with clinical suspected incomplete healing of the uterine incision after abdominal delivery underwent cavitas pelvis MRI scans with 3.0T MRI.Results According to the characteristics of the MRI images,healing conditions of the uterine incisions were divides into 2 groups.GroupⅠwas showed that the uterine incision healed well,the uterine junctional zone and myometrium were continuous,and the incision scar was linear low signal intensity on T2 WI (2 cases,22%).GroupⅡwas showed that the uterine incisions healed incompletely,the uterine junctional zone and myometrium were discontinuous,and the myometrium edema was in some cases with high signal intensity on T2 WI (7 cases,78%).Conclusion MRI could directly displays incomplete healing of the uterine incision after cesarean section,provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Traffic Inducer in the Umbilical Vessels of the Patients with Pre-eclampsia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) was examined in the umbilical vessels of the patients with pre-eclampsia (PE) to explore its possible role in the pathogenesis of PE.The NOSTRIN mRNA in umbilical tissues was determined by RT-PCR.The eNOS activity in umbilical vessels was spectrophotometrically detected.NO2-/NO3-,the stable metabolic end products of NO,was measured by using nitrate reductase.RT-PCR showed that the expression level of NOSTRIN was significantly higher in women with PE than in the normal group (P<0.01).The activity of eNOS was significantly decreased in PE group [(12.83±3.61) U/mg] than in normal group [(21.72±3.83) U/mg] (P<0.01).The level of NO2-/NO3- in PE patients (27.53± 7.48) μmol/mg was significantly lower than that of normal group (54.27±9.53) μmol/mg (P<0.01).The significant negative correlation existed between the expression of NOSTRIN and the activity of eNOS in umbilical vessels of women with PE (r=-0.58,P<0.01).It was concluded that the level of NOSTRIN expression was increased in umbilical vessel of women with PE,indicating that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE.