Supramolecular cage-mediated cargo transport.

A steady stream of material transport based on carriers and channels in living systems plays an extremely important role in normal life activities. Inspired by nature, researchers have extensively applied supramolecular cages in cargo transport because of their unique three-dimensional structures and excellent physicochemical properties. In this review, we will focus on the development of supramolecular cages as carriers and channels for cargo transport in abiotic and biological systems over the past fifteen years. In addition, we will discuss future challenges and potential applications of supramolecular cages in substance transport.

Dietary Selenium Insufficiency Induces Cardiac Inflammatory Injury in Chicks.

BACKGROUND: Laying hens undergo intensive metabolism and are vulnerable to cardiac insults. Previous research demonstrated overt heart disorders of broiler chickens induced by dietary Se deficiency. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal effects and mechanism of dietary Se insufficiency on cardiac injuries of egg-type chicks in their early life. METHODS: White Leghorn chicks (0-d-old, female) were fed a corn-soy, Se-insufficient basal diet (BD, 0.05 mg Se/kg; n = 11) or the BD supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg (as sodium selenite; n = 8) for 35 d. Cardiac tissues were collected at the end of study for histology and to determine its relationship with heart Se contents, selenoprotein expression profiles, antioxidant and inflammatory status, and the Toll-like receptor 4/extracellular signal-regulated kinases/p38 map kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (TLR4/ERK/P38/JNK) pathway. RESULTS: Compared with those fed 0.35 mg Se/kg, chicks fed BD had significantly lower body weights and average daily gain, and 28% lower heart Se, and developed cardiac mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, along with elevated (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of creatine kinase, aldolase, and interleukin-1 (IL-1). The BD decreased (P < 0.05) body weight and heart glutathione contents and expression of selenoproteins but increased (P < 0.05) heart concentrations of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. These changes were associated with increased (P < 0.05) mRNA and/or protein concentrations of cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase-12, cytokines (IL-1ß), nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit, chemokines, and receptors (CCL20, CXCR1, and CXCLI2) and increased (P < 0.1) TLR4/ERK /P38/JNK in the heart of Se-insufficient chicks. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary Se insufficiency induces infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the heart of egg-type chicks. This cardiac injury was mediated by decreased functional expressions of selenoproteins, which resulted in apparent elevated oxidative stress and subsequent activations of the TLR4 pathway and NF κB.

Translation and validation of ageism scale for dental students into Malay language.

AIMS: Identifying ageism among dental students is essential in gerodontology courses. This study aimed to perform a preliminary validation of a Malay version of the ageism scale for dental students (ASDS-My). METHODS AND RESULTS: The 27-item ASDS were translated into Malay language and completed by 168 dental students. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Promax rotation, Polychoric Correlation Matrix and Principal Axis Factoring was conducted. Internal consistency reliability and discriminative validity were analysed. Criterion validity was measured by comparing ASDS-My with Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA). A Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin of 0.612 and a Bartlett's Test of Sphericity yielding p < .001 confirmed the adequate factorability. EFA revealed a 15-items scale distributed into five-factors explaining 54.5% of overall variance, with acceptable reliability. The two factors involved cost-benefit of dental treatment on older patients and challenges during medical history taking. The third, fourth and fifth factors explained attitude towards older patients, negative views of older patients and exposure of dental students to Gerodontology training and experiences respectively. Most factors were significantly positively related to FSA. Discriminative validity revealed significant differences for gender, place of stay and year of study. CONCLUSION: Preliminary validation of the ASDS-My produced a five-factors 15-items scale with acceptable validity and reliability.

Naphthalene Diimide-Based Metallacage as an Artificial Ion Channel for Chloride Ion Transport.

Developing synthetic molecular devices for controlling ion transmembrane transport is a promising research field in supramolecular chemistry. These artificial ion channels provide models to study ion channel diseases and have huge potential for therapeutic applications. Compared with self-assembled ion channels constructed by intermolecular weak interactions between smaller molecules or cyclic compounds, metallacage-based ion channels have well-defined structures and can exist as single components in the phospholipid bilayer. A naphthalene diimide-based artificial chloride ion channel is constructed through efficient subcomponent self-assembly and its selective ion transport activity in large unilamellar vesicles and the planar lipid bilayer membrane by fluorescence and ion-current measurements is investigated. Molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations show that the metallacage spans the entire phospholipid bilayer as an unimolecular ion transport channel. This channel transports chloride ions across the cell membrane, which disturbs the ion balance of cancer cells and inhibits the growth of cancer cells at low concentrations.

Nutrient adequacy for poor households in Africa would improve with higher income but not necessarily with lower food prices.

Healthy diets are not affordable to all in Africa due to a combination of high food prices and low incomes. However, how African consumers might change demand patterns if prices or incomes were to change remains poorly understood. Using nationally representative household panel survey data from five sub-Saharan African countries, we model consumer preferences and examine how nutrient intake responds to changing food prices, total expenditures and other demand determinants. Here we find a stronger positive relationship between growth in poor consumers' total expenditures and their nutrient intake adequacy than has been previously documented. We also find that poor consumers' intake adequacy is especially sensitive to food staple prices in countries where one food staple dominates poor consumers' diets. In countries with multiple food staples, no single staple's price is a strong determinant of poor consumers' dietary intake adequacy.

Evidence-Based Dampness-Heat ZHENG (Syndrome) in Cancer: Current Progress toward Establishing Relevant Animal Model with Pancreatic Tumor / 中国结合医学杂志

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases affecting the health of human beings. With limited therapeutic options available, complementary and alternative medicine has been widely adopted in cancer management and is increasingly becoming accepted by both patients and healthcare workers alike. Chinese medicine characterized by its unique diagnostic and treatment system is the most widely applied complementary and alternative medicine. It emphasizes symptoms and ZHENG (syndrome)-based treatment combined with contemporary disease diagnosis and further stratifies patients into individualized medicine subgroups. As a representative cancer with the highest degree of malignancy, pancreatic cancer is traditionally classified into the "amassment and accumulation". Emerging perspectives define the core pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer as "dampness-heat" and the respective treatment "clearing heat and resolving dampness" has been demonstrated to prolong survival in pancreatic cancer patients, as has been observed in many other cancers. This clinical advantage encourages an exploration of the essence of dampness-heat ZHENG (DHZ) in cancer and investigation into underlying mechanisms of action of herbal formulations against dampness-heat. However, at present, there is a lack of understanding of the molecular characteristics of DHZ in cancer and no standardized and widely accepted animal model to study this core syndrome in vivo. The shortage of animal models limits the ability to uncover the antitumor mechanisms of herbal medicines and to assess the safety profile of the natural products derived from them. This review summarizes the current research on DHZ in cancer in terms of the clinical aspects, molecular landscape, and animal models. This study aims to provide comprehensive insight that can be used for the establishment of a future standardized ZHENG-based cancer animal model.

Imaging features of severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses and efficacy and safety of intravascular interventional therapy in them / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To summarize the imaging features of severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravascular interventional therapy in them.Methods:Thirty-seven patients with severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses clinically mainly manifested as intracranial hypertension and accepted endovascular intervention in Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to September 2022 were chosen; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and imaging features were summarized. Short-term efficacy was evaluated according to blood flow restoration degrees and pressure gradient reduction in the occlusive sinus and modified neurological symptoms before and after endovascular intervention. Hospitalized complications were observed; safety and long-term efficacy were evaluated according to postoperative clinical follow-up and imaging results 6-12 months after endovascular intervention.Results:(1) Preoperative brain MRI and (or) CT showed different degrees of swelling of the brain tissues, with the affected side as the target; mixed signals/density shadow could be seen in the blocked transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus; venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage could be combined in some patients. MRV, CTV and DSA showed poor or completely occluded transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus while normal in the contralateral side; obvious thrombus filling-defect was observed in the occluded venous sinus after mechanical thrombolysis. (2) Occlusive sinus blood flow was restored in all patients after endovascular intervention, and pressure gradient of the occlusive segment decreased from (16.6±3.3) mmHg before to (2.8±0.8) mmHg after endovascular intervention. Before discharge, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 5 patients, 2 in 1 patient and 3 in 1 patient), and 2 patients had unilateral limb movement disorder (muscle strength grading III and IV, respectively). All patients received clinical follow-up for (9.6±3.0) months. At the last follow-up, neurological function obviously improved compared with that before endovascular intervention, without new neurosystem-related symptoms (mRS scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 6, and 2 in 1 patient). In 34 patients received MRV or DSA follow-up, 28 had complete recanalization of occlusive sinus and 6 had partial recanalization, without obvious stenosis or recurrent occlusion.Conclusions:Severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thrombosis can cause local intracranial venous blood stasis, and then cause "increased regional venous sinus pressure", which is manifested as unilateral brain tissue swelling and even venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and endovascular intervention can obviously improve the prognosis of these patients, enjoying good safety.

Prognostic factor and its predictive value of patients with Wilson's disease-related acute-on-chronic liver failure / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To explore the prognostic factor and its predictive value of patients with Wilson disease-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(WD-ACLF).Methods The clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as WD-ACLF admitted to the Department of Encephalopathy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 1,2017 to January 1,2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the 12-week prognosis,patients were divided into survival group(n=36)and death group(n=34).The data of the two groups were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic analysis to screen the prognostic risk factors and evaluate their predictive value.The model coefficient is omnibus tested,and the model-fitting degree is evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.ROC curve was used to analyze the prognostic value for WD-ACLF between the new model and chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment(CLIF-SOFA)score,model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh(CTP)score.Results A total of 70 WD-ACLF patients were enrolled in present study,including 36 cases in survival group[22 males and 14 females with median age of 30.0(17.3,40.0)]and 34 cases in death group[25 males and 9 females with median age of 34.0(28.8,41.0)].Univariate analysis showed that the course of disease,prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)were shorter in survival group than that in death group,the white blood cells(WBC),international normalized ratio(INR),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cre)and ceruloplasmin(CER)levels and the proportion of infection,ascites,and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were lower in survival group than those in death group,however,the proportion of infection,ascites and upper digestive bleeding in the survival group were lower than those in the death group.Meanwhile,the red blood cells(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),Na+ and total cholesterol(TC)level in the survival group were higher than those in the death group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease course(OR=1.176,95%CI 1.043-1.325),INR(OR=7.635,95%CI 1.767-32.980),TBIL(OR=1.012,95%CI 1.003-1.021),and upper gastrointestinal bleeding(OR=11.654,95%CI 1.029-131.980)were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of WD-ACLF(P<0.05).Based on the results of logistic regression analysis,a joint model for predicting the prognosis of WD-ACLF was established.The AUC of the model for evaluating the prognosis of WD-ACLF was 0.941,which was greater than the CLIF-SOFA score(AUC=0.802),MELD score(AUC=0.897),and CTP score(AUC=0.722).Conclusions The course of disease,TBIL,INR,and upper gastrointestinal bleeding are risk factors that affect the prognosis of WD-ACLF.The prognosis model established based on this can more accurately predict the prognosis of WD-ACLF patients,and its predictive value is superior to CLIF-SOFA score,MELD score,and CTP score.

Tubridge flow diverter for the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms:clinical analysis of its safety and efficacy / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Tubridge flow diverter(TFD)in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods The clinical data of 13 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage,who received TFD treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between March 2019 and Jul 2022,were retrospectively collected.The perioperative materials and follow-up results were summarized and analyzed.Results Successful operation was accomplished in all the 13 patients(13 aneurysms in total).TFD and coil embolization were simultaneously performed in 10 patients(simultaneous treatment),spring coil filling followed by selective staged TFD placement was adopted in 2 patients(staged treatment),and pure TFD placement was employed in one patient.The incidence of perioperative complications was 15.4%(2/13),including asymptomatic ischemic event in one patient and extra-ventricular drainage-related postoperative bleeding in another patient,which caused death of the patient.The median follow-up time was 6.5 months,and 83.3%of patients(10/12)completed cerebral angiography reexamination with DSA.OKM grade D(complete occlusion of the aneurysm)was obtained in 8 patients(80%),and OKM grade C(residual aneurysm neck)in 2 patients.Conclusion For ruptured intracranial aneurysms,TFD implantation is a clinically feasible treatment with favorable safety and efficacy.

Clinical study of sacubitril valsartan sodium combined with Wenxin granule in the treatment of hyper-tension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To explore therapeutic effect of sacubitril valsartan sodium combined with Wenxin granule in the treatment of hypertension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(AF)and its effect on cardiac electro-physiological structure.Methods:A total of 116 patients with hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated in our hospital from Oct 2021 to Nov 2022 were consecutively selected.According to random number table,they were divided into Wenxin granule group(received Wenxin granule treatment based on routine antihypertensive ther-apy)and combined treatment group(received sacubitril valsartan sodium combined Wenxin granule therapy based on routine antihypertensive therapy)with 58 cases in each group,and both groups were consecutively treated for six months.Clinical symptom score,AF burden,P wave duration,P wave dispersion,left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results:After treatment,compared with Wenxin granule group,there were significant reductions in clinical symptom score[(1.66±0.69)scores vs.(1.40±0.53)scores],AF burden[4.43(1.65)％vs.1.62(3.50)％],P wave duration[(112.17±6.46)ms vs.(109.29±8.59)ms],P wave dispersion[(32.47±8.11)ms vs.(29.02±7.49)ms]and LAD[(34.83±3.41)mm vs.(33.40±3.74)mm]in combined treatment group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).There were no significant difference in LVEDd and LVEF between two groups,P＞0.05 both.Conclusion:Sacubitril valsartan sodium combined with Wenxin granule can significantly im-prove clinical symptoms and atrial fibrillation burden,reduce the susceptibility to atrial fibrillation,and inhibit atrial electrical remodeling and structural remodeling in patients with hypertension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fi-brillation.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Celastrol in the ocular tissues of mice with exper-imental autoimmune uveitis and its impact on microglia polarization / 眼科新进展

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory action of Celastrol in the ocular tissues of mice with ex-perimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU)and its effect on microglia polarization.Methods A total of 36 healthy B10.RⅢmice at 6-8 weeks of age were selected and randomly divided into the normal control group,EAU solvent control group and Celastrol intervention group,with 12 mice in each group.The interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein(IRBP)161-180 and Freund's complete adjuvant were mixed by thorough emulsification and injected subcutaneously into the bilateral thighs and tails of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group with a total volume of 200 μL and 50 μg IRBP 161-180 in each mouse.On 7-14 days after immunization,mice in the Celastrol intervention group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg·kg-1 Celastrol,and mice in the EAU solvent control group were injected with an equivalent dose of sterile Phosphate Buffered Saline solution.On the 14th day after immunization,the anterior segment of mice in each group was observed by slit-lamp microscope and Hematoxylin and Eosin(HE)staining of tissue sections was performed;the clinical and histopathological scores of mice in each group were obtained by reference to the Caspi grading standards;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the activation of microglia in the eyes of mice;Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and arginase-1(Argl)in the reti-na;quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the retina,such as tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6.GraphPad Prism 9.0 was used for data analysis.Results On the 14th day after immunization,it was observed by the slit-lamp microscope that the anterior segment of mice in the EAU solvent control group was markedly congested with dilated iris blood vessels,corneal edema,and anterior chamber exudation;the inflammation in the anterior segment of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was markedly at-tenuated,and the iris blood vessels were seen to be mildly congested.Compared with the normal control group,the clini-cal scores of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.05);the clinical scores of mice in the Celastrol intervention group were lower than those in the EAU solvent control group(P＜0.05).HE staining results showed that on the 14th day after immunization,mice in the EAU solvent control group showed severe retinal folds and detachment with diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells,while mice in the Celastrol intervention group showed slight structural damage to the retina and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Com-pared with the normal control group,the histopathological scores of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celas-trol intervention group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.05);the histopathological scores of mice in the Celastrol in-tervention group were lower than those in the EAU solvent control group(P＜0.05).The intraocular Iba1+cell densities of mice in the normal control,EAU solvent control and Celastrol intervention groups were(1.00±0.12)％,(36.07± 4.57)％,and(1.83±0.36)％,respectively.Compared with the normal control group,the number of Iba1+cells in the eyes of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group significantly increased(both P＜0.05);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the number of Iba1+cells in the eyes of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the expression levels of iNOS and Arg1 proteins in the retinas of mice in the EAU solvent control group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.01);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the expression of iNOS protein in the retinas of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).Compared with the normal control group,the relative mRNA expressions of TNF-α.IL-1β,and IL-6 in the retinas of mice in the EAU solvent control group was significantly elevated(all P＜0.05);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the relative mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6 in the retinas of mice in the Celastrol intervention group significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Celastrol inhibits Ml microglia activation and reduces the production of retinal inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in EAU mice,thereby attenuating the in-flammatory reaction.

Research on MRE quality control in diagnosing intestinal diseases / 中国医学装备

Objective:To investigate the quality control of magnetic resonance enterography(MRE)in the diagnosis of intestine diseases,and analyze the factors that affected the imaging quality of MRE,and enhance the imaging quality of MRE through adopted the measures of quality control.Methods:The documents of MRE examinations of 167 patients with intestinal disease who admitted to the 900th Hospital of People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Force from May 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The image qualities of all patients were evaluated after they completed clinical and image examinations.The reasons that image quality could not meet the requirement of diagnosis were analyzed.And then,the measures of quality control were proposed.Results:In 167 patients with intestinal disease,the MRE images of 153 patients(91.62%)could meet the requirement of diagnosis.In 14 patients(8.38%)whose MRE images could not meet the requirement of diagnosis,the reason of 3 cases(1.80%)was poor respiratory coordination,and that of 2 cases(1.20%)was there were more severe magnetic sensitive artifacts in images,and that of 1 case(0.60%)was severe intestinal peristalsis leaded to blurred images,and that of 2 cases(1.20%)was the flow void effect from intestinal peristalsis inside of intestinal cavity could not meet the requirement of diagnosis,and that of 4 cases(2.40%)was the intestinal tube without incomplete dilation caused by poor oral filling contrast agent,and that of 2 cases(1.20%)was many residues in intestine due to poor preparation for intestine.Aimed at the factors that MRE images could not meet requirement of diagnosis,we proposed the following quality control measures:①the biphasic contrast agents with favorable safety,without severe adverse reactions,which can fully dilate intestinal cavity,should be selected.②we should do well for the dilation of intestinal tube,and inhibit the intestinal peristalsis and conduct respiratory training.③we should conduct scan with wide field at coronal site,so as to display panorama image of intestine.④The scans of conventionally anatomical sequence and functional imaging sequence on axis position were performed on lesions.Conclusion:MRE technique should choose appropriate contrast agent in the quality control of the diagnosis of intestine diseases,and do well the preparation for patients before examination.Using intraluminal contrast agents,conducting intestinal dilation and optimal imaging technique are essential for obtaining intestinal MRE images with high quality.

Simultaneous content determination of ten constituents in Tianma Toufengling Capsules by QAMS / 中成药

AIM To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS)method for the simultaneous content determination of gastrodin,parishin E,syringin,parishin B,parishin C,ferulic acid,parishin A,buddleoside,harpagoside and cinnamic acid in Tianma Toufengling Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic GL Science InertsilTM ODS-3 column(150 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 220,280 nm.Syringin was used as an internal standard to calculate the relative correction factors of the other nine constituents,after which the content determination was made.RESULTS Ten constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 7),whose average recoveries were 98.53%-102.22%with the RSDs of 1.26%-2.68%.The result obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method.CONCLUSION This accurate and specific method can be used for the quality control of Tianma Toufengling Capsules.

Transumbilical Approach Repair for Hernia of Linea Alba Within 3 cm Above the Umbilicus in Children / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of transumbilical repair for hernia of linea alba within 3 cm above the umbilicus.Methods Clinical data of 26 patients who underwent transumbilical approach hernia repair in our hospital from June 2016 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Color ultrasound examination showed that the distance from the lower edge of the hernia to the upper edge of the umbilicus was≤3 cm.The hernia repair was performed through the fascial space via the upper edge approach of the umbilical ring.There were 7 boys and 19 girls.The age was 7 months to 11 years old(median,3 years old).The distance from the lower edge of the hernia sac to the upper edge of the umbilicus was(1.46±0.66)cm,and the diameter of the hernia of linea alba was(1.16±0.57)cm.Results The surgery was completed smoothly.The operation time was(39.1±26.3)min.No complication was noted.All the patients were discharged one day after surgery.The follow-ups lasted for 1 year and 2 months to 7 years and 3 months(median,5 years and 1 month).No wound infection,bleeding or other complications occurred.No recurrence of hernia or formation of skin granulomas happened.Conclusion Transumbilical approach repair for hernia of linea alba within 3 cm above the umbilicus is safe and effective,with good cosmetic results.

Polycystin-2 Ion Channel Function and Pathogenesis in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Polycystin-2 (also known as PC2, TRPP2, PKD2) is a major contributor to the underlying etiology of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), which is the most prevalent monogenic kidney disease in the world. As a transient receptor potential (TRP) channel protein, PC2 exhibits cation-permeable, Ca2+-dependent channel properties, and plays a crucial role in maintaining normal Ca2+ signaling in systemic physiology, particularly in ADPKD chronic kidney disease. Structurally, PC2 protein consists of six transmembrane structural domains (S1-S6), a polycystin-specific “tetragonal opening for polycystins” (TOP) domain located between the S1 and S2 transmembrane structures, and cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. Although the cytoplasmic N-terminus and C-terminus of PC2 may not be significant in the gating of PC2 channels, there is still much protein structural information that needs to be thoroughly investigated, including the regulation of channel function and the assembly of homotetrameric ion channels. This is further supported by the presence of human disease-associated mutation sites on the PC2 structure. Moreover, PC2 synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum is enriched in specific subcellular localization via membrane transport and can assemble itself into homotetrameric ion channels, as well as form heterotrimeric receptor-ion channel complexes with other proteins. These complexes are involved in a wide range of physiological functions, including the regulation of mechanosensation, cell polarity, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In particular, PC2 assembles with chaperone proteins to form polycystic protein complexes that affect Ca2+ transport in cell membranes, cilia, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria, and are involved in activating cell fate-related signaling pathways, particularly cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis, and more recently, autophagy. This leads to a shift of cystic cells from a normal uptake, quiescent state to a pathologically secreted, proliferative state. In conclusion, the complex structural and functional roles of PC2 highlight its critical importance in the pathogenesis of ADPKD, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention.

Analysis of gene characteristics and core genome characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae in rural residents of Weifang City, Shandong Province / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the drug-resistant gene characteristics and core genome characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CR-ECL) in rural residents of Weifang City, Shandong Province. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from rural community residents in Weifang City, Shandong Province in 2017. Drug-resistant strains were screened using a carbapenem-resistant enterobacter chromogenic medium. CR-ECL positive strains were acquired via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry(MALDI-TOFMS) analysis. The antibiotic resistance phenotype of CR-ECL was determined using a microbroth dilution assay. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis were conducted, along with an examination of the immediate vicinity of the blaNDM gene and phylogenetic analysis of the strains. Results: A total of 628 fecal samples were collected and tested, of which 6 were CR-ECL positive (detection rate 0.96%), all exhibiting multiple drug resistance (MDR) phenotypes. Six CR-ECL strains had four MLST genotypes (ST), all of which carried multiple drug resistance genes (blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, etc.) and virulence genes (acrA, acrB, entB, fepC, etc.). There were mobile genetic elements ISAba125, TN3-IS3000, TN3 and IS5 in the genetic environment surrounding the blaNDM gene. The phylogenetic tree showed that the multi-locus sequence typing of the core genome (cgMLST) was consistent with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) results. The cgMLST results showed that the allele differences between strains 2BC0101B and 2BC0251B, 2BG0561B and 2BI0221B were 2 and 1, respectively. The SNPs results showed that the above two pairs of bacteria also clustered together. It was found that the strains of chicken fecal samples in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database were located in the center of the evolutionary tree, and the local sequences could be traced back to American human sequences. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant CR-ECL is detected in rural community residents in Weifang City, Shandong Province.

Analysis of gene characteristics and core genome characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae in rural residents of Weifang City, Shandong Province / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the drug-resistant gene characteristics and core genome characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (CR-ECL) in rural residents of Weifang City, Shandong Province. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from rural community residents in Weifang City, Shandong Province in 2017. Drug-resistant strains were screened using a carbapenem-resistant enterobacter chromogenic medium. CR-ECL positive strains were acquired via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry(MALDI-TOFMS) analysis. The antibiotic resistance phenotype of CR-ECL was determined using a microbroth dilution assay. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis were conducted, along with an examination of the immediate vicinity of the blaNDM gene and phylogenetic analysis of the strains. Results: A total of 628 fecal samples were collected and tested, of which 6 were CR-ECL positive (detection rate 0.96%), all exhibiting multiple drug resistance (MDR) phenotypes. Six CR-ECL strains had four MLST genotypes (ST), all of which carried multiple drug resistance genes (blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, etc.) and virulence genes (acrA, acrB, entB, fepC, etc.). There were mobile genetic elements ISAba125, TN3-IS3000, TN3 and IS5 in the genetic environment surrounding the blaNDM gene. The phylogenetic tree showed that the multi-locus sequence typing of the core genome (cgMLST) was consistent with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) results. The cgMLST results showed that the allele differences between strains 2BC0101B and 2BC0251B, 2BG0561B and 2BI0221B were 2 and 1, respectively. The SNPs results showed that the above two pairs of bacteria also clustered together. It was found that the strains of chicken fecal samples in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database were located in the center of the evolutionary tree, and the local sequences could be traced back to American human sequences. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant CR-ECL is detected in rural community residents in Weifang City, Shandong Province.

Study on fluvoxamine maleate sustained-release pellets and its compression technology / 药学学报

In this study, fluvoxamine maleate sustained-release pellet system tablets were prepared and were used to evaluate their release behaviors in vitro. Fluvoxamine maleate pellets were prepared using centrifugal-spherization method and coated by fluidized bed as bottom-spray. The multi-unit sustained-release pellets and appropriate excipients for prescription volumes were mixed uniformly and then compressed to tablets. Screening and determining the optimal formulation of drug loaded pellets through L8 (24) Taguchi experiment. Using Minitab software to design a DOE experiment with 24 partial factors, including material temperature, fan speed, atomization pressure, and spray rate to optimize the bottom spray coating process. Taking monostearate glycerol ester with a particle size of 24-40 mesh as the main diluent for tableting to relieve the delamination phenomenon between pellets and excipients during tablet pressing and reduce mechanical damage to the coating film. By examining the powder fluidity indexes such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, and Hausner ratio of mixed particles, it was found that the flowability and compressibility are good and suitable for direct compression. Evaluate the basic properties of the sustained-release tablets, investigate the in vitro release behavior and study the release mechanism. The results of in vitro release test showed that the self-made sustained-release tablets could disintegrate into independent pellet units in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8 and release slowly within 24 h, which conformed to the first-order drug release model. The fluvoxamine maleate sustained-release pellet system tablets meet the requirements of preparation design and has a great commercial prospect.

Changes in HPV prevalence, incidence, and clearance following the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among MSM in Xinjiang, China: An observational cohort study.

The association between HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) has not been well documented. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of PrEP on the prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal HPV among men who have sex with men (MSM). Sexually active, HIV-negative MSM aged 18 years and older in Xinjiang, China since September 1, 2016, were enrolled in an ongoing observational cohort study of HPV. At baseline and every 6 months, an anal swab was taken to test for HPV and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors was collected. Those who consented to receive PrEP were enrolled in an open-label PrEP intervention study from November 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021. This study analyzed data from participants present in the HPV cohort between November 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021. We compared the prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal HPV between men who received PrEP (PrEP users) and those who did not (non-PrEP users), and compared men before and after initiating PrEP. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs), incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and clearance rate ratios (CRRs) for both comparisons. Of the 870 participants present in the HPV cohort during the period between November 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021, 859 had adequate ß-globin for HPV genotype testing and were included in our study. Among them, 429 were PrEP users, while 430 were non-PrEP users. Median age was 32 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 26-38). Among PrEP users, 217 were tested for anal HPV before PrEP initiation. PrEP users had lower prevalence of HPV 45, 51, and 54 (PRs: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.09-0.80], 0.42 [0.21-0.85], and 0.41 [0.17-0.99], respectively) and lower clearance of HPV 16 (CRR: 0.31 [0.10-0.91]) compared with non-PrEP users. PrEP users exhibited lower prevalence of HPV 51 (PR: 0.31 [0.12-0.84]), lower incidence of HPV 6, 11, 16, 39 and 61 (IRRs: 0.34 [0.13-0.90], 0.26 [0.08-0.87], 0.44 [0.21-0.91], 0.21 [0.05-0.93], and 0.19 [0.04-0.82], respectively), as well as higher clearance of HPV 52 (CRR: 2.17 [1.08-4.35]) after PrEP initiation. PrEP use may lower the risk of HPV infection among MSM in Xinjiang, China. Our findings further extend the knowledge of the impact of PrEP on sexually transmitted infections.