The Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire: reliability analysis and diagnostic value.

BACKGROUND: While the Ohkuma questionnaire is a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use tool to assess dysphagia, none of its versions can be used by the Chinese population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency, reliability and clinical validity of a newly made Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire, and to provide some objective basis for its application in screening dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 21 to June 2022, 96 patients with dysphagia and 89 asymptomatic subjects were recruited from three hospitals in China to form an observation and a control group, respectively. All subjects completed the Ohkuma questionnaire, Eating Assessment Tool-10, and a Video Fluoroscopy Study of Swallowing. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficient measured in the questionnaire was 0.867, indicating acceptable internal reliability. The analysis of variance generated four main factors to be assessed, showing a good aggregation effectiveness of the questionnaire. The AVE square root values of three factors were greater than the maximum absolute value of the correlation coefficients between factors, indicating good differentiation effectiveness. The sensitivity and specificity scores, together with the positive and negative likelihood as well as diagnostic odds ratios indicate a good reactivity of the questionnaire. Lastly, after adjusting for age and sex, the results of the stepwise linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the Ohkuma questionnaire and the penetration aspiration scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and can be used as a rapid and effective screening tool for dysphagia.

STAT3 mediates ECM stiffness-dependent progression in ovarian cancer.

The treatment of ovarian cancer remains a medical challenge and its malignant progression is connected with obvious changes in both tissue and cell stiffness. However, the accurate mechanical-responsive molecules and mechanism remains unclear in ovarian cancer. Based on our previous results combined with the crucial regulatory role of STAT3 in the malignant progression of various cancer types, we want to investigate the relationship between STAT3 and matrix stiffness in ovarian cancer and further explore the potential mechanisms. Collagen-coated polyacrylamide gels (1, 6, and 60 kPa) were prepared to mimic soft or hard matrix stiffness. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, IHC, EdU assays, and TEM were used to evaluate the effect of STAT3 in vitro under different matrix stiffnesses. Furthermore, a BALB/c nude mouse model was established to assess the relationship in vivo. Our results confirmed the differential expression of STAT3/p-STAT3 not only in normal and malignant ovarian tissues but also under different matrix stiffnesses. Furthermore, we verified that STAT3 was a mechanically responsive gene both in vitro and in vivo, and the mechanical response was carried out by altering the migration-related molecules (TNFAIP1) and adhesion-related molecules (LPXN, CNN3). The novel findings suggest that STAT3, a potential therapeutic target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, is a mechanically responsive gene that responds to matrix stiffness, particularly regulation in migration and adhesion in the progression of ovarian cancer.

Exogenous methyl jasmonate enhanced kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) tolerance against lead (Pb) toxicity by improving antioxidant capacity and osmoregulators.

In this study, the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on metal uptake and its ability to attenuate metal toxicity in kenaf plants under Pb stress were investigated. The experiment was conducted with five different MeJA concentrations (0, 40, 80, 160, and 320 µM) as a foilar application to kenaf plants exposed to 200 µM Pb stress. The results revealed that pretreatmen of MeJA significantly increased plant dry weight, plant height, and root architecture at all concentrations tested, with the most significant increase at 320 µM. Foliar application of MeJA at 160 µM and 320 µM increased the Pb concentrations in leaves and stems as well as the translocation factor (TF) from root to leaf. However, the bioaccumulation factor in the shoot initially decreased and then increased with increasing MeJA concentration. By increasing enzymatic (SOD, POD, and CAT) and non-enzymatic (AsA and non-protein thiols) antioxidants, MeJA pretreatment decreased lipid peroxidation, O2- and H2O2 accumulation and recovered photosynthetic pigment content under Pb stress. Increased osmolytes (proline, sugar, and starch) and protein content after MeJA pretreatment under Pb stress restore cellular homeostasis and improved kenaf tolerance. Our results suggest that MeJA pretreatment modifies the antioxidant machinery of kenaf and inhibits stress-related processes that cause lipid peroxidation, hence enhancing plant tolerance to Pb stress.

Effect of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Emergency Nursing Using the SWOT Model on Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Objective: To explore the effect of interdisciplinary collaboration in emergency nursing using the strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) model on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Eighty AMI patients undergoing rescue treatment at Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from October 2020 to June 2022 were selected and randomly divided into the SWOT group and the control group. The patients in the control group received routine emergency nursing intervention, while those in the SWOT group were given interdisciplinary collaboration using the SWOT model. The emergency-related time, cardiac function indicators, incidence of adverse events, quality of life, and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results: The waiting time, triage assessment time, electrocardiogram examination time, emergency treatment time, PCI duration and ICU stay time in SWOT group were significantly shorter than those in control group. The left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the SWOT group were all superior to those in the control group. The SWOT group had a significantly lower incidence rate of adverse events than the control group. The quality of life scores of SWOT group were higher than those of control group. The nursing satisfaction in the SWOT group was higher than that in the control group. Conclusion: Interdisciplinary collaboration using the SWOT model for AMI patients can effectively shorten the rescue time, ameliorate cardiac function indicators, reduce the risk of adverse events, improve patients' quality of life, and enhance nursing satisfaction.

CPU-GPU-coupled acceleration method for point flux calculation in Monte Carlo particle transport.

In Monte Carlo particle transport simulations, point flux tallying is a variance reduction technique that performs well with small detectors and finds broad application in source-detector problems and local point dose calculations. However, its use in large-scale point flux tallying computation adds substantial computational time. To address this issue, we propose a CPU-GPU-coupled acceleration method, which separates the complex logic and computationally intensive parts of particle transport calculation and assigns them to the CPU and GPU, respectively. This proposed method greatly enhances the efficiency of large-scale point flux tallies, providing significant convenience for subsequent dose calculations and other related steps. We validated our method by comparing the performance of a pure CPU program with our CPU-GPU accelerated program using the NUREG/CR-6115 PWR benchmark problem. The results indicate identical outcomes for photon point flux estimation, with the accelerated program being ~50 times faster.

Intercomparison of neutron personal dose equivalent measured by thermoluminescence dosimeters.

An intercomparison of neutron personal dose equivalent measured by the Harshaw thermoluminescence neutron dosimeters (TLDs) between the National Institute of Metrology of China (NIM) and the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology of Vietnam (INST) was performed. Three sets of TLDs (each set consisting of five TLDs) were prepared for each laboratory. Each set was then irradiated to the corresponding same nominal standard value of neutron personal dose equivalent, Hp(10)n-stdi, of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mSv, respectively at these two laboratories. The irradiated TLDs were then read-out at the INST using the Harshaw 4500-type TLD reader to obtain neutron personal dose equivalents at the NIM, Hp(10)n-NIMi and at the INST, Hp(10)n-INSTi, which are corresponding to different values of Hp(10)n-stdi. The TLDs' responses to different scattered components of neutrons in these two fields are also discussed. Comparisons between the corresponding pair values of Hp(10)n-NIMi and Hp(10)n-INSTi show good agreements within 10% with the standard uncertainty of 12.5% (k = 1). The measured values of Hp(10)n-NIMi and Hp(10)n-INSTi are satisfied the Trumpet curve criteria. This implies that the TLDs can be used for safety assessment of occupational neutron personal dose equivalents. This intercomparison result also confirms the capabilities of these two laboratories (i.e., NIM, INST) on deliveries of neutron personal dose equivalent standard values for calibrations.

Chromatin binding protein HMGN1 promotes HBV cccDNA transcription and replication by regulating the phosphorylation of histone 3.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct elimination of cccDNA remains a formidable obstacle due to the persistent and stable presence of cccDNA in hepatocyte nuclei. The silencing of cccDNA transcription enduringly is one of alternative strategies in the treatment of hepatitis B. Protein binding to cccDNA plays an important role in its transcriptional regulation; thus, the identification of key factors involved in this process is of great importance. APPROACHES AND RESULTS: In the present study, high mobility group nucleosome binding domain 1 (HMGN1) was screened out based on our biotin-avidin enrichment system. First, chromatin immunoprecipitation and fluorescent in situ hybridization assays confirmed the binding of HMGN1 with cccDNA in the nucleus. Second, functional experiments in HBV-infected cells showed that the promoting effect of HMGN1 on HBV transcription and replication depended on the functional region of the nucleosomal binding domain, while transfection of the HMGN1 mutant showed no influence on HBV compared with the vector. Third, further mechanistic exploration revealed that the silencing of HMGN1 increased the level of phosphorylase CLK2 and promoted H3 phosphorylation causing the reduced accessibility of cccDNA. Moreover, silenced HMGN1 was mimicked in HBV (r) cccDNA mouse model of HBV infection in vivo. The results showed that silencing HMGN1 inhibited HBV replication in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study identified that a host protein can bind to cccDNA and promote its transcription, providing a candidate strategy for anti-HBV targeting to interfere with the transcriptional activity of cccDNA microchromosomes.

Feasibility of a novel type of complex anterior cervical fixation by using Mimics software / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility of mimics software in analyzing a new type of complex anterior cervical fixation -- anterior transpedicular screw fixation+zero notch internal fixation.@*METHODS@#From January 2021 to September 2022, 50 normal pedestrians who underwent cervical spine CT scanning were selected for C1-C7 segment scanning, including 27 males and 23 females, aged from 25 to 65 years old with an average of (46.0 ± 9.0) years old. The dicom format is exported and engraved into the CD, and use the mimics software to perform 3D reconstruction of each segment. A simulated screw is placed on the image according to the critical value of zero notch screw (head and tail angle 44°, internal angle 29°). The position of zero notch screw in each segment is observed to determine the feasibility of anterior transpedicular screw fixation plus zero notch internal fixation.@*RESULTS@#For the upper zero notch screws the three-dimensional images of the cervical spine across all 50 subjects within the C3-C7 segments demonstrated safe position, with no instances of intersection with ATPS. For the lower zero notch screw, in C3-C4 and C4-C5, 4 out of 50 subjects are in the safe position in the three-dimensional images of cervical vertebrae, and 46 cases could achieve secure screw placement when the maximum caudal angle is(32.3±1.9) ° and (36.1±2.2) °, respectively. In C5-C6 and C6-C7 segments, no lower zero notch screws intersected with ATPS, and all screws are in safe positions.@*CONCLUSION@#Lower cervical anterior pedicle screw fixation plus zero notch internal fixation can achieve successful nail placement through the selected entry point and position.

Effect of nerve growth factor on elderly degenerative knee osteoarthritis pain / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) antibody on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain model was evaluated by in vitro model.@*METHODS@#Thirty male SPF rats aged 28-week-old were divided into blank group (10 rats with anesthesia only). The other 20 rats were with monoiodoacetate (MIA) on the right knee joint to establish pain model of OA, and were randomly divided into control group (injected intraperitoneal injection of normal saline) and treatment group (injected anti-NGF) intraperitoneal after successful modeling, and 10 rats in each group. All rats were received retrograde injection of fluorogold (FG) into the right knee joint. Gait was assessed using catwalk gait analysis system before treatment, 1 and 2 weeks after treatment. Three weeks after treatment, right dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were excised on L4-L6 level, immunostained for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the number of DRGS was counted.@*RESULTS@#In terms of gait analysis using cat track system, duty cycle, swing speed and print area ratio in control and treatment group were significantly reduced compared with blank group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, duty cycle and swing speed of treatment group were significantly improved (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in print area ratio between treatment group and blank group (P>0.05). The number of FG-labeled DRG neurons in control group was significantly higher than that in treatment group and blank group (P<0.05). The expression of CGRP in control group was up-regulated, and differences were statistically significant compared with treatment group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Intraperitoneal injection of anti-NGF antibody inhibited gait injury and upregulation of CGRP in DRG neurons. The results suggest that anti-nerve growth factor therapy may be of value in treating knee pain. NGF may be an important target for the treatment of knee OA pain.

Study on the potential allergen and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions induced by combined using of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection based on metabolomics and bioinformatics / 药学学报

Based on the strategy of metabolomics combined with bioinformatics, this study analyzed the potential allergens and mechanism of pseudo-allergic reactions (PARs) induced by the combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. All animal experiments and welfare are in accordance with the requirements of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: YFYDW2020002). Based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology combined with UNIFI software, a total of 21 compounds were identified in Reduning and penicillin G mixed injection. Based on molecular docking technology, 10 potential allergens with strong binding activity to MrgprX2 agonist sites were further screened. Metabolomics analysis using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology revealed that 34 differential metabolites such as arachidonic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes were endogenous differential metabolites of PARs caused by combined use of Reduning injection and penicillin G injection. Through the analysis of the "potential allergen-target-endogenous differential metabolite" interaction network, the chlorogenic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and isochlorogenic acid A) and β-lactam allergens in the combination of the two may be mainly regulated by PLD1, PLA2G12A and CYP1A1. The three upstream signal target proteins mainly activate the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, promote the degranulation of mast cells, release downstream endogenous inflammatory mediators, and induce PARs.

A reporter gene assays for bioactivity determination of human chorinonic gonadotropin / 药学学报

This study constructed a LHCGR-CRE-luc-HEK293 transgenic cell line according to the activation of the cAMP signaling pathway after recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin binding to the receptor. The biological activity of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin was assayed using a luciferase assay system. The relative potency of the samples was calculated using four-parameter model. And the method conditions were optimized to validate the specificity, relative accuracy, precision and linearity of the method. The results showed that there was a quantitative potency relationship of human chorinonic gonadotropin (hCG) in the method and it was in accordance with the four-parameter curve. After optimization, the conditions were determined as hCG dilution concentration of 2.5 μg·mL-1, dilution ratio of 1∶4, cell number of 10 000-15 000 cells/well, and induction time of 6 h. The method had good specificity, relative accuracy with relative bias ranging from -8.9% to 3.4%, linear regression equation correlation coefficient of 0.996, intermediate precision geometric coefficient of variation ranging from 3.3% to 15.0%, and linearity range of 50% to 200%. This study successfully established and validated a reporter gene method to detect hCG biological activity, which can be used for hCG biological activity assay and quality control.

The mechanism of chlorogenic acid against neuropathic pain induced by cisplatin / 药学学报

This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of chlorogenic acid on cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Central Hospital, in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines. Von Frey hair and a radiant heat was employed to measure mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia; Western blot was used to examine transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) protein expression in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG); patch clamp was used to record TRPV1 currents in DRG neurons. The experimental results showed that chlorogenic acid could attenuate cisplatin-induce mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rats. The expression of TRPV1 protein in DRGs was increased in cisplatin-treated rats, while chlorogenic acid also could reverse cisplatin-induced the upregulation of TRPV1 protein. Forthermore, chlorogenic acid could attenuate cisplatin-mediated the upregulation of TRPV1 current density. These above results indicated that chlorogenic acid could alleviate cisplatin-induced pain hypersensitivity through inhibition of the expression and function of TRPV1 in rats.

Research progress of needle-free injection technology / 药学学报

Needle-free injection technology (NFIT) refers to the drug delivery systems in which drugs are propelled as high-speed jet streams using any of the pressure source to penetrate the skin to the required depth. NFIT is a promising drug delivery system as it enables the injection of liquids, powders, and depot/projectiles, and has the advantages of preventing needle stick accidents, improving drug bioavailability, eliminating needle-phobia, increasing vaccine immunity, simplifying operations and is convenient for patients to use. NFIT and its research background, the structure and classification of needle-free jet injectors (NFJI), drugs that can be delivered using NFJI and the factors affecting the injection effect are comprehensively reviewed in this paper. The limitations and potential development directions are summarized to provide a theoretical basis for the application and development of NFIT.

Effect of type of carrier material on the in vitro properties of solid dispersions of progesterone / 药学学报

This study investigated the effect of different carrier materials on the in vitro properties of progesterone solid dispersions. The solid dispersions of the insoluble drug progesterone were prepared by hot melt extrusion technique using rheological properties as the index of investigation, and the in vitro properties of the solid dispersions were characterized. Scanning electron microscope revealed solid dispersions with rough surfaces and agglomerated microstructures into irregular lumpy particles. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction showed the change of progesterone crystalline form in solid dispersions from crystalline to amorphous state. In vitro dissolution studies showed that solid dispersions prepared with different carrier materials can effectively improve the dissolution rate of drugs. The results of the study showed that the type of carrier material had a significant effect on the in vitro properties of solid dispersions, providing a reference for the study of solid dispersions in the controlled release of insoluble drugs.

Mechanism of amino acid metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases in the world， affecting about one quarter of the global population， and it is estimated that NAFLD will become the main indication for liver transplantation by 2030. NAFLD can lead to significant abnormalities in the levels of a variety of amino acids including branched-chain amino acids， thereby promoting the development and progression of NAFLD. These results suggest that in addition to glucose and lipid metabolism， amino acid metabolism also plays an important role in the progression of NAFLD. In order to systematically understand the role and mechanism of amino acid metabolism in NAFLD， this article reviews the research advances in amino acid metabolism in NAFLD. This article aims to explore the role and mechanism of amino acid metabolism in the progression of NAFLD， so as to provide ideas and a theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment.

Consideration of Ethical Protection in Drug Clinical Trials for Rare Diseases in Children / 中国医学伦理学

Children with rare disease belong to a vulnerable group. When China’s current medical security system cannot provide comprehensive health care, they not only face physical and mental torture, but also have a higher risk of children participating in clinical trials than adults. So, adequate protection of children’s safety and rights is the key to ethical review. This paper analyzed the current status of drugs clinical trials for rare disease in children, including trial difficulties and guarantee system; explained the ethical principles that should be followed in clinical trials, such as the principle of informed consent and the principle of no harm; and discussed the path of protecting children’s safety and rights, so as to raise awareness and attention of the importance of ethical review of clinical trials.

Comprehensive analysis of insulin products complex disulfide bonds structure by high resolution mass spectrum / 药学学报

The correct pairing of disulfide bonds maintains the correct folding mode and high-level structure formation of peptides and protein drugs, which is crucial for the quality control of products. In order to ensure that the disulfide bonds are correctly paired, disulfide bond analysis is an essential part of peptides and protein drug characterization. Mass spectrometry can be used to analyze disulfide bonds. However, insulin and its analogues have two pairs of disulfide bonds without restriction enzyme cutting site. Conventional collision-induced dissociation (CID) and high-energy induced cleavage (HCD) cannot accurately locate the complex disulfide bond. In our study, three methods were used to localize the complex disulfide, including enzyme digestion combined with key peptide fragment in source decay (ISD) fragmentation method, enzyme digestion combined with partial reduction alkylation method, intact protein source ISD and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) cleavage method, The applicability of insulin aspart, insulin lispro and insulin glargine were also investigated. This study provides a new way for the quality control of disulfide bonding mode of insulin and its analogues, and also provides a reference for the disulfide bond localization of peptides or proteins containing this complex disulfide bond.

Identification of Scolopendra Dispensing Granules by Allele-specific PCR / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction （PCR） method for identifying Scolopendra dispensing granules， so as to ensure the quality and therapeutic effects of Scolopendra and its preparations. MethodThe primer interval suitable for the PCR was selected based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3（COX-3） gene sequence of Scolopendra， and the single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） loci of Scolopendra and its adulterants were mined from the interval for the design of specific primers. The samples of Scolopendra and its adulterants were collected. The PCR system was established and optimized regarding the annealing temperature， cycles， Taq enzymes， DNA template amount， PCR instruments， and primer concentrations， and the specificity and applicability of this method were evaluated. ResultThe PCR system was composed of 12.5 μL 2×M5 PCR Mix， 0.4 μL forward primer （10 μmol·L-1）， 0.4 μL reverse primer （10 μmol·L-1）， 2.5 μL DNA template， and 9.2 μL sterile double distilled water. PCR parameters： Pre-denaturation at 94 ℃ for 3 min， 30 cycles （94 ℃ for 20 s， 62 ℃ for 20 s， 72 ℃ for 45 s）， and extension at 72 ℃ for 5 min. After PCR amplification with the system and parameters above， the electrophoresis revealed a bright band at about 135 bp for Scolopendra and no band for the adulterants. ConclusionThe established allele-specific PCR method can accurately identify the medicinal materials， decoction pieces， and standard decoction freeze-dried powder of Scolopendra， as well as the intermediates and final products of Scolopendra dispensing granules， which is of great significance for ensuring the quality and clinical efficacy of Scolopendra and its preparations.

The influence of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss extract on lipid mediators metabolism network in asthmatic mice.

Current drugs do not provide an absolute cure or modify the course of asthma. Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss extract (SXCF) has been used as Uyghur medicine for several years to treat bronchial asthma. However, very limited research has been conducted on the therapeutic mechanisms of SXCF. Disruptions in the metabolic network of lipid mediators (LMs) are closely linked to the development of asthma. Here, we explored the therapeutic mechanism of SXCF in asthma based on the metabolic network of LMs, aiming to contribute to the understanding of SXCF in asthma treatment at the molecular level. The UHPLC-MRM strategy was used for the quantitative detection of LMs in the lung tissue and in the peripheral circulatory system (serum). ELISA was used to detect IgE in serum and cytokines in BALF. The lung tissue sections were stained with H&E to observe the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and behavioural changes in mice were observed and recorded throughout the animal experiment. In contrast to the asthma group, the opposite result was observed in the SXCF groups, where the perturbed LMs metabolic network was partly restored in a dose-dependent manner with a significant elevation of anti-inflammatory metabolites, while pro-inflammatory lipids were decreased. As significant downregulation of IgE and pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed, IgE and cytokines analysis also supported the anti-inflammatory effects of SXCF. It was also noticed that SXCF treatment reduced the number of coughs and decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration around the bronchus in mice. These results suggested that SXCF has a significant ameliorative effect on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. The modulation of LMs is a possible underlying mechanism of the SXCF effects.