Stepwise reduction of bony density in patients induces a higher risk of annular tears by deteriorating the local biomechanical environment.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The relationship between osteoporosis and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) remains unclear. Considering that annular tear is the primary phenotype of IDD in the lumbar spine, the deteriorating local biomechanical environment may be the main trigger for annular tears. PURPOSE: To investigate whether poor bone mineral density (BMD) in the vertebral bodies may increase the risk of annular tears via the degradation of the local biomechanical environment. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective investigation with relevant numerical mechanical simulations. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 64 patients with low back pain (LBP) and the most severe IDD in the L4-L5 motion segment were enrolled. OUTCOME MEASURES: Annulus integration status was assessed using diffusion tensor fibre tractography (DTT). Hounsfield unit (HU) values of adjacent vertebral bodies were employed to determine BMD. Numerical simulations were conducted to compute stress values in the annulus of models with different BMDs and body positions. METHODS: The clinical data of the 64 patients with low back pain were collected retrospectively. The BMD of the vertebral bodies was measured using the HU values, and the annulus integration status was determined according to DTT. The data of the patients with and without annular tears were compared, and regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for annular tears. Furthermore, finite element models of the L4-L5 motion segment were constructed and validated, followed by estimating the maximum stress on the post and postlateral interfaces between the superior and inferior bony endplates (BEPs) and the annulus. RESULTS: Patients with lower HU values in their vertebral bodies had significantly higher incidence rates of annular tears, with decreased HU values being an independent risk factor for annular tears. Moreover, increased stress on the BEP-annulus interfaces was associated with a stepwise reduction of bony density (ie, elastic modulus) in the numerical models. CONCLUSIONS: The stepwise reduction of bony density in patients results in a higher risk of annular tears by deteriorating the local biomechanical environment. Thus, osteoporosis should be considered to be a potential risk factor for IDD biomechanically.

Coupling of brain activity and structural network in multiple sclerosis: A graph frequency analysis study.

The brain activities and the underlying wiring diagrams are vulnerable in multiple sclerosis (MS). Also, it remains unknown whether the complex coupling between these functional and structural brain properties would be affected. To address this issue, we adopted graph frequency analysis to quantify the high-order structural-functional interactions based on a combination of brain diffusion and functional MRI data. The structural-functional decoupling index was proposed to measure how much brain regional functional activity with different graph frequency was organized atop the underlying wiring diagram in MS. The identified patterns in MS included (1) disruption of inherent structural-functional coupling in the somatomotor network (ß = 0.05, p = 0.03), and (2) excessive decrease of decoupling in the subcortical (ß = -0.10, p = 0.02), visual (ß = -0.04, p = 0.01), and dorsal attention networks (ß = -0.12, p = 0.03). Besides, this structural-functional coupling signature in the somatomotor network was associated with cognitive worsening of MS patients (ß = -24.31, p = 0.006). Overall, our study unveiled a unique signature of brain structural-functional reorganization in MS.

[Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and clinical application of Bolbostemma paniculatum].

Bolbostemma paniculatum is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material effective in clearing heat, removing toxin, eliminating phlegm, and alleviating swelling. The anti-tumor activity it possesses makes it a research hotspot. At present, 76 compounds have been isolated from B. paniculatum, including triterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids, anthraquinones, organic acids, etc., with anti-tumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive pharmacological activities. This study reviewed the research on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of B. paniculatum over the past 20 years, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and promote the development and utilization of B. paniculatum.

Application of routine test big data in early diagnosis of gastric cancer / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of a predictire model composed of non-specific test indexes in early diagnosis of gastric cancer.Methods:From the database of electronic medical record system of Shanghai Changhai Hospital, a total of 24 615 case records were included from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2019, including 10 497 cases of gastric cancer, 5 198 cases of precancerous diseases, and 8 920 cases of health examination. Through stratified random sampling, the study population was divided into validation set, training set and test set. After data processing and quality control for all laboratory variables, the optimal machine learning algorithm and diagnostic efficiency grouping were selected through four machine learning algorithms, induding the gradient boosting decision tree, random forest, support vector machine, and artificial neural network, and the data were trained by backward stepwise regression method to build the best feature model.Result:In this study, a diagnostic model V22 consisting of 22 routine testing parameters was established. V22 could distinguish early gastric cancer from control group composed of healthy group and precancerous disease, AUC was 0.808, the sensitivity was 85.7%, and the specificity was 91.9%. For CEA negative gastric cancer, V22 also showed high diagnostic accuracy, AUC was 0.801.Conclusion:V22 was a valuable model for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. V22 was an auxiliary diagnostic model of gastric cancer with clinical application value, which could well distinguish early gastric cancer from the control group composed of healthy group and precancerous disease, and the detection rate of early gastric cancer was better than the traditional tumor marker CEA.

Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and clinical application of Bolbostemma paniculatum / 中国中药杂志

Bolbostemma paniculatum is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material effective in clearing heat, removing toxin, eliminating phlegm, and alleviating swelling. The anti-tumor activity it possesses makes it a research hotspot. At present, 76 compounds have been isolated from B. paniculatum, including triterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids, anthraquinones, organic acids, etc., with anti-tumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive pharmacological activities. This study reviewed the research on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of B. paniculatum over the past 20 years, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and promote the development and utilization of B. paniculatum.

Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of spine trauma in the epidemic of COVID-19 / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Outbreak of COVID-19 is ongoing all over the world. Spine trauma is one of the most common types of trauma and will probably be encountered during the fight against COVID-19 and resumption of work and production. Patients with unstable spine fractures or continuous deterioration of neurological function require emergency surgery. The COVID-19 epidemic has brought tremendous challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of such patients. To coordinate the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease prevention and spine trauma so as to formulate a rigorous diagnosis and treatment plan and to reduce the disability and mortality of the disease, multidisciplinary collaboration is needed. This expert consensus is formulated in order to (1) prevent and control the epidemic, (2) diagnose and treat patients with spine trauma reasonably, and (3) reduce the risk of cross-infection between patients and medical personnel during the treatment.

Clinical characteristics of patients with paraneoplastic myelopathy.

Paraneoplastic myelopathy is rare paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. We reviewed patients through medical records system and screened patients who presented with myelopathy, and/or coexisting cancer, and/or onconeural antibodies. Nine patients were identified as paraneoplastic myelopathy presenting with progressive subacute (2/9) or insidious (7/9) myelopathy. CSF abnormalities included elevated protein, 5; pleocytosis, 4; excess oligoclonal bands, 6. Seven patients had onconeural antibody. Cancer was confirmed histopathologically in 6 and diagnosed by PET-CT in 1. Four patients had symmetric, longitudinally extensive grey matter or tract-specific changes on spinal cord MRI. It was associated with significant morbidity and had poor response to treatment.

Brand new 1D branched CuO nanowire arrays for efficient photoelectrochemical water reduction.

Developing high surface area nanostructured electrodes with fast charge separation is one of the main challenges for exploring cupric oxide (CuO)-based photocathodes in solar-driven hydrogen production applications. Herein, brand new 1D branched CuO nanowire arrays have been achieved on fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass (FTO) through a two-step wet chemical redox reaction. X-ray diffraction patterns, Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the pure phase characteristic of the resulting branched CuO. In addition to the enlarged surface area of this advanced functional structure as compared with that of the 1D wire trunk, the charge injection and separation have been improved by rationally controlling the density of defects and size of branches. As a result, the optimized branched CuO exhibits photocurrent as high as 3.6 mA·cm-2 under AM 1.5G (100 mW·cm-2) illumination and 3.0 mA·cm-2 under visible light (λ > 420 nm) at 0.2 V vs. RHE in 0.5 M Na2SO4, which are 2.8- and 3.0-fold greater than those of 1D wire samples, respectively. In addition, the solution-processed approach established herein seems quite favourable for large-scale and low-cost manufacturing.

Finite element analysis of maxillary central incisor all-ceramic crowns in different occlusal states / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The strength of al-ceramic crowns is affected by many factors. At present there are many studies concerning the neck edge shape, cutting thickness, binder and convergence angle, but little has been reported on the effects of different occlusions on al-ceramic crowns. OBJECTIVE:To explore the maxilary central incisor al-ceramic crowns in different occlusal states by finite element analysis. METHODS: Three-dimensional finite element models of the maxilary central incisor al-ceramic crowns were established. Empress II and In-Ceram Zirconia were selected. The normal overbite position and deep overbite position were applied to force a load of 230 N, with the long axis of the tooth at a 45° angle. Distribution of inner stress and edge stress was analyzed at different occlusal states. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The stress distribution of al-ceramic crowns under different occlusion relationship was different. The stress peaks of cementum, alveolar bone and periodontium in the deep overbite were lower than those in the normal overbite. The stress peaks of al-ceramic crowns and binder were higher than in the deep overbite than the normal overbite. The stress peak of the dentin in the Empress II group was higher in the deep overbite than in the normal overbite. The stress peak of the dentin in the In-Ceram Zirconia group was lower in the deep overbite than in the normal overbite. Different al-ceramic crowns had no influence on the stress distribution, but in the deep overbite, the stress was mainly concentrated in the occlusal contact area, and in the normal overbite, the stress was mainly concentrated in the occlusal contact area and at the labial cervical margin. (2) The stress distribution of different al-ceramic crowns under the same occlusal state was different. In the normal overbite, different al-ceramic crowns had no evident influence on the stress peak, and in the deep overbite, there was a certain effect of different al-ceramic crowns on the stress peak, but there was no significant difference. The stress peaks of blinder and dentin were obviously affected by al-ceramic crowns. The stress peaks of blinder and dentin in Empress II group were higher than those in the In-Ceram Zirconia group.

Screening peptides binding specifically to colorectal cancer cells from a phage random peptide library.

The aim of this study was to screen for polypeptides binding specifically to LoVo human colorectal cancer cells using a phage-displayed peptide library as a targeting vector for colorectal cancer therapy. Human normal colorectal mucous epithelial cells were applied as absorber cells for subtraction biopanning with a c7c phage display peptide library. Positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence detection; amino acid sequences were deduced by DNA sequencing. After 3 rounds of screening, 5 of 20 phage clones screened positive, showing specific binding to LoVo cells and a conserved RPM motif. Specific peptides against colorectal cancer cells could be obtained from a phage display peptide library and may be used as potential vectors for targeting therapy for colorectal cancer.

[Screening peptides binding specifically to large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from phage random peptide library].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the polypeptides specifically binding to human large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from a phage-displayed peptide library for potential use as targeting vectors for large intestinal cancer therapy. METHODS: With the LoVo cells as the target cells and human normal large intestinal mucosal epithelial cells as the absorber cells for subtraction biopanning from a c7c phage-display peptide library, the positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence detection. The amino acid sequences of the identified peptides were deduced by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: After 3 rounds of screening, 5 positive phage clones showing specific binding to LoVo cells and containing conserved motif RPMP were obtained from the 20 randomly selected clones. CONCLUSION: Specific peptide against large intestinal cancer cells can be obtained from a phage-display peptide library for use as potential vectors for targeting therapy of large intestinal cancer.

Textural research on "Xuelihua" in "Bencao Gangmu Shiyi" (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the historical origins of folk herbal medicine 'Xuelihua', the origin of 'Xuelihua' was confirmed by textural, botanical characteristics research, investigation of therapeutic effects and field survey. The 'Xuelihua' which was originally recorded in 'Bencao Gangmu Shiyi' (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) should be 'Riben Shegencao' (Ophirrhiza japonica) of Rubiaceae family.

Screening peptides binding specifically to large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from phage random peptide library / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the polypeptides specifically binding to human large intestinal cancer LoVo cells from a phage-displayed peptide library for potential use as targeting vectors for large intestinal cancer therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the LoVo cells as the target cells and human normal large intestinal mucosal epithelial cells as the absorber cells for subtraction biopanning from a c7c phage-display peptide library, the positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence detection. The amino acid sequences of the identified peptides were deduced by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 rounds of screening, 5 positive phage clones showing specific binding to LoVo cells and containing conserved motif RPMP were obtained from the 20 randomly selected clones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Specific peptide against large intestinal cancer cells can be obtained from a phage-display peptide library for use as potential vectors for targeting therapy of large intestinal cancer.</p>

[Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in severely damaged small intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in severely damaged intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure. METHODS: Thirty-two adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal high-dose 5-FU injection at 150 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, and on days 1, 3, and 5, the mice were sacrificed to obtain the small intestinal tissue for HE straining and immunohistochemistry for detecting PCNA expression. Another 8 mice with intraperitoneal PBS injection served as the control group. RESULTS: High-dose 5-FU exposure of the mice resulted in severe intestinal mucous damage, with complete destruction of the villi and crypts and significantly increased cells positive for PCNA expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: High-dose 5-FU treatment can significantly increase the PCNA index, and the cells expressing PCNA can be closely associated with regeneration of the severely damaged mucosa due to the exposure.

[Effect of L-Arginine on intestinal mucosal injury of rats with severe abdominal infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-Arginine on intestinal mucosal injury of rats with severe abdominal infection. METHODS: Rats received cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to reproduce sepsis model. A total of 18 Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly (each n=9): L-Arginine group and model group. Three hundred mg/kg of L-Arginine was injected into the abdomen in rats of L- Arginine group after CLP. Model group received equal volume of normal saline. Blood sample was harvested and the serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined at 24 hours after operation in both groups. The histopathological change of intestinal mucosa was observed under light microscope and mucosa damage index was determined. RESULTS: The intestinal mucosal damage was observed both in model group and L- Arginine group after CLP, but the injury was milder in L- Arginine group. There was significant difference in mucosa injury index between L-Arginine group and model group (3.4+/-0.6 vs. 4.1+/-0.5, P<0.05). The serum level of NO [(76.1+/-26.2) micromol/L vs. (87.3+/-16.7) micromol/L, P>0.05] and iNOS [(30.6+/-7.4) U/L vs(44.4+/-6.6) U/L, P<0.01] in L-Arginine group were lower than those in model group. CONCLUSION: L-Arginine could protect against intestinal mucosal injury and depress the serum level of iNOS in severe abdominal infection of rats.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in severely damaged small intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in severely damaged intestinal mucosa due to high-dose 5-FU exposure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two adult C57BL/6J mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal high-dose 5-FU injection at 150 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, and on days 1, 3, and 5, the mice were sacrificed to obtain the small intestinal tissue for HE straining and immunohistochemistry for detecting PCNA expression. Another 8 mice with intraperitoneal PBS injection served as the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High-dose 5-FU exposure of the mice resulted in severe intestinal mucous damage, with complete destruction of the villi and crypts and significantly increased cells positive for PCNA expression (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-dose 5-FU treatment can significantly increase the PCNA index, and the cells expressing PCNA can be closely associated with regeneration of the severely damaged mucosa due to the exposure.</p>

Cytotoxicity of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to LNCaP cells in the presence of Cu2+ / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has shown remarkably anti-cancer activity, with its bioactivity being related to reactive conditions, such as pH and metal ions. The present study investigated the degradation of EGCG and its effect on prostate cancer cell in the presence of Cu2+. EGCG was incubated with prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, pretreated with or without Cu2+. EGCG in F-12 medium was quantified using HPLC and the viability of cells was assessed by gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry, and electron microscope. The results of HPLC showed that EGCG degraded completely within 12 h in F-12 medium with or without Cu2+. Gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry did not detect apoptosis of LNCaP cells when they were incubated with EGCG. Electron microscopy examination revealed that EGCG-Cu2+ complex led to damage of cytoplasm membrane in LNCaP cells. It was speculated that not EGCG, but its oxide and complex with Cu2+, are the bioactive components responsible for its cytotoxicity to LNCaP prostate cancer cells.