Changes of binocular surface indexes after unilateral endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the effect of unilateral endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy on binocular surface indexes.METHODS: Totally 45 cases with monocular primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction(PANDO)who successfully underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy between 1 December 2022 and 31 July 2023 were enrolled in the study. Ocular surface indexes, including the non-invasive tear break-up time(NIBUT), Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance ocular staining score(SICCA OSS), Korb score of lid wiper and Schirmer test scores, were collected preoperatively and at 0.5, 1 and 3 mo post-operatively. Subsequently, various indexes were compared at each time point between the operated and healthy eyes pre- and post-operatively.RESULTS: There was no significant differences between operated and healthy eyes in NIBUT, SICCA OSS, Korb scores and Schirmer test(all P>0.05). Furthermore, the Korb scores of operated eye at 0.5, 1 and 3 mo post-operatively were significantly lower than the preoperative value(P=0.034, 0.044, 0.027). Moreover, the Schirmer test score of the operated eye at 1 mo post-operatively was significantly lower than the preoperative value(P=0.0461).CONCLUSION:After a successful endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, tear drainage is restored, however, ocular surface damage worsens. These changes typically peak at 1 mo post-operatively before gradually improving.

Elucidating the material basis and potential mechanisms of Daqinglong Decoction acting on influenza by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and network pharmacology.

Daqinglong Decoction (DQLD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription firstly recorded in Shang han lun (the treatise on febrile diseases), has been used hundreds of years for the clinical treatment of influenza. However, the chemical composition and therapeutic mechanism of this prescription are unclear. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was employed to analyze the chemical compounds in both methanol and boiling water extracts of DQLD. The compounds were then screened, characterized, and filtered using the TCMSP, TCMIP, TCM-ID and SymMap database, with a focus on their oral bioavailability and drug-likeness values. The resulting data were analyzed and optimized using the R language platform, Autodock and Gromacs software to identify biological processes and pathways. A total of 121 compounds were identified, of which 5 showed good binding ability to influenza virus targets (1L1B, IL10, CASP3, STAT3, TNF, and others). The active ingredient-target-influenza virus pathway was constructed using a network drug target analysis model prediction of DQLD, which was mainly enriched in Human cytomegalovirus infection, PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, and other signaling pathways through 1L1B, IL10 and other targets. Those pathways highly correlated to the body's inflammatory response, improve immunity, and exert anti-influenza virus effects. In summary, this study demonstrated that DQLD's active ingredients can effectively bind to influenza virus targets and exert anti-influenza virus effects by reducing inflammation and improving immunity through Human cytomegalovirus infection, PI3K-Akt and HIF-1 signaling pathways. These findings offer important insights into the potential mechanisms of action of DQLD and its potential use as a TCM against influenza and other viral infections.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Self-Appraisal of Clinical Competence in Echocardiography of Chinese Intensivists Post Basic Echocardiography Training.

Objectives To learn the echocardiography skills of intensivists after receiving a basic critical care echocardiography training course, and investigate factors that may influence their performance. Methods We completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed the skills in ultrasound scanning techniques of intensivists who took a training course on basic critical care echocardiography held in 2019 and 2020. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the factors which might affect their performance on image acquisition, recognizing clinical syndrome, and measuring the diameter of inferior vena cava, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral.Results We enrolled 554 physicians from 412 intensive care units across China. Among them, 185 (33.4%) reported that they had 10%-30% chance of being misled by critical care echocardiography when making therapeutic decision, and 34 (6.1%) reported that the chance was greater than 30%. Intensivists who performed echocardiography under the guidance of a mentor and finished ultrasound scanning more than 10 times per week reported significant higher scores in image acquisition, clinical syndrome recognition, and quantitative measurement of inferior vena cava diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral than those without mentor and performing echocardiography 10 times or less per week respectively (all P < 0.05).Conclusion The skills in diagnostic medical echocardiography of Chinese intensivists after a basic echocardiographic training course remain low, and further quality assurance training program is clearly warranted.

Evaluation of renal cortical echogenicity in healthy cats using anisotropic backscatter artifacts and echogenicity differences among internal organs.

BACKGROUND: Renal cortical anisotropic backscatter artifact (CABA) is a hyperechoic region of the renal poles where the insonation of sound beams is perpendicular to the renal tubules within the renal cortex. AIMS: To determine whether renal CABA can be observed in healthy cats and to compare the echogenicity of renal CABA with that of the spleen and liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Images of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and urinary bladder were acquired from 30 clinically healthy cats with renal CABA. Echogenicity differences among organs and echo scores within urine were recorded and analyzed. All ultrasound images were acquired using a 7.2-14-MHz linear transducer. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the presence of renal CABA and various variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of the renal CABA was 86.7% (26/30) and 93.3% (28/30) according to different observers. The reproducibility of renal CABA is substantial to excellent. The renal CABA echogenicity was greater or equal to the spleen and greater than the hepatic echogenicity in 90.0% of cats (27/30). For comparison with the spleen and liver, there were three and six combinations of echogenicity differences using the CABA and non-CABA regions, respectively. The renal cortical echogenicity in the CABA region was higher than the liver in all subjects. Renal CABA was not associated with age, body weight, gender, body condition score, or lipid droplets in the urinary bladder. CONCLUSION: Renal CABA was present in most healthy cats and could be used for echogenicity comparisons with the liver and spleen.

Expert consensus on late stage of critical care management / 中华内科杂志

We wished to establish an expert consensus on late stage of critical care (CC) management. The panel comprised 13 experts in CC medicine. Each statement was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principle. Then, the Delphi method was adopted by 17 experts to reassess the following 28 statements. (1) ESCAPE has evolved from a strategy of delirium management to a strategy of late stage of CC management. (2) The new version of ESCAPE is a strategy for optimizing treatment and comprehensive care of critically ill patients (CIPs) after the rescue period, including early mobilization, early rehabilitation, nutritional support, sleep management, mental assessment, cognitive-function training, emotional support, and optimizing sedation and analgesia. (3) Disease assessment to determine the starting point of early mobilization, early rehabilitation, and early enteral nutrition. (4) Early mobilization has synergistic effects upon the recovery of organ function. (5) Early functional exercise and rehabilitation are important means to promote CIP recovery, and gives them a sense of future prospects. (6) Timely start of enteral nutrition is conducive to early mobilization and early rehabilitation. (7) The spontaneous breathing test should be started as soon as possible, and a weaning plan should be selected step-by-step. (8) The waking process of CIPs should be realized in a planned and purposeful way. (9) Establishment of a sleep-wake rhythm is the key to sleep management in post-CC management. (10) The spontaneous awakening trial, spontaneous breathing trial, and sleep management should be carried out together. (11) The depth of sedation should be adjusted dynamically in the late stage of CC period. (12) Standardized sedation assessment is the premise of rational sedation. (13) Appropriate sedative drugs should be selected according to the objectives of sedation and drug characteristics. (14) A goal-directed minimization strategy for sedation should be implemented. (15) The principle of analgesia must be mastered first. (16) Subjective assessment is preferred for analgesia assessment. (17) Opioid-based analgesic strategies should be selected step-by-step according to the characteristics of different drugs. (18) There must be rational use of non-opioid analgesics and non-drug-based analgesic measures. (19) Pay attention to evaluation of the psychological status of CIPs. (20) Cognitive function in CIPs cannot be ignored. (21) Delirium management should be based on non-drug-based measures and rational use of drugs. (22) Reset treatment can be considered for severe delirium. (23) Psychological assessment should be conducted as early as possible to screen-out high-risk groups with post-traumatic stress disorder. (24) Emotional support, flexible visiting, and environment management are important components of humanistic management in the intensive care unit (ICU). (25) Emotional support from medical teams and families should be promoted through"ICU diaries"and other forms. (26) Environmental management should be carried out by enriching environmental content, limiting environmental interference, and optimizing the environmental atmosphere. (27) Reasonable promotion of flexible visitation should be done on the basis of prevention of nosocomial infection. (28) ESCAPE is an excellent project for late stage of CC management.

Detection rates of adenomas, advanced adenomas, and colorectal cancers among the opportunistic colonoscopy screening population: a single-center, retrospective study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is effective in reducing CRC incidence and mortality. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine and compare the detection rate of adenomas, advanced adenomas (AAs) and CRCs, and the number needed to screen (NNS) of individuals in an average-risk Chinese population of different ages and genders.@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective study performed at the Institute of Health Management, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. Colonoscopy results were analyzed for 53,152 individuals finally enrolled from January 2013 to December 2019. The detection rate of adenomas, AAs, or CRCs was computed and the characteristics between men and women were compared using chi-squared test.@*RESULTS@#The average age was 48.8 years (standard deviation [SD], 8.5 years) for men and 50.0 years (SD, 9.0 years) for women, and the gender rate was 66.27% (35,226) vs . 33.73% (17,926). The detection rates of adenomas, AAs, serrated adenomas, and CRCs were 14.58% (7750), 3.09% (1641), 1.23% (653), and 0.59% (313), respectively. Men were statistically significantly associated with higher detection rates than women in adenomas (17.20% [6058/35,226], 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.74-17.53% vs . 9.44% [1692/17,926], 95% CI 8.94-9.79%, P  < 0.001), AAs (3.72% [1309], 95% CI 3.47-3.87% vs . 1.85% [332], 95% CI 1.61-2.00%, P  < 0.001), and serrated adenomas (1.56% [548], 95% CI 1.43-1.69% vs . 0.59% [105], 95% CI 0.47-0.70%, P  < 0.001). The detection rate of AAs in individuals aged 45 to 49 years was 3.17% (270/8510, 95% CI 2.80-3.55%) in men and 1.69% (69/4091, 95% CI 1.12-1.86%) in women, and their NNS was 31.55 (95% CI 28.17-35.71) in men and 67.11 (95% CI 53.76-89.29) in women. The NNS for AAs in men aged 45 to 49 years was close to that in women aged 65 to 69 years (29.07 [95% CI 21.05-46.73]).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The detection rates of adenomas, AAs, and serrated adenomas are high in the asymptomatic population undergoing a physical examination and are associated with gender and age. Our findings will provide important references for effective population-based CRC screening strategies in the future.

Inhibitory Effect of Resveratrol on LPS-induced Glomerular Mesangial Cells Proliferation and TGF-β1 Expression via Sphingosine Kinase 1 Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To elucidate the renoprotective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) signaling pathway and expression of its downstream molecules including activator protein 1 (AP-1) and transformation growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs).@*METHODS@#The rat GMCs line (HBZY-1) were cultured and randomly divided into 5 groups, including control, LPS (100 ng/mL), and 5, 10, 20 µmol/L RSV-treated groups. In addition, SphK1 inhibitor (SK-II) was used as positive control. GMCs were pretreated with RSV for 2 h and treated with LPS for another 24 h. GMCs proliferation was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The proteins expression of SphK1, p-c-Jun and TGF-β1 in GMCs were detected by Western blot, and DNA-binding activity of AP-1 was performed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The binding activity between RSV and SphK1 protein was detected by AutoDock Vina and visualized by Discovery Studio 2016.@*RESULTS@#LPS could obviously stimulate GMCs proliferation, elevate SphK1, p-c-Jun and TGF-β1 expression levels and increase the DNA-binding activity of AP-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whereas these effects were significantly blocked by RSV pretreatment. It was also suggested that the effect of RSV was similar to SK-II (P>0.05). Moreover, RSV exhibited good binding affinity towards SphK1, with docking scores of -8.1 kcal/moL and formed hydrogen bonds with ASP-178 and LEU-268 in SphK1.@*CONCLUSION@#RSV inhibited LPS-induced GMCs proliferation and TGF-β1 expression, which may be independent of its hypoglycemic effect on preventing the development of mesangial cell fibrosis and closely related to the direct inhibition of SphK1 pathway.

Self-Appraisal of Clinical Competence in Echocardiography of Chinese Intensivists Post Basic Echocardiography Training / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objectives To learn the echocardiography skills of intensivists after receiving a basic critical care echocardiography training course, and investigate factors that may influence their performance. Methods We completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed the skills in ultrasound scanning techniques of intensivists who took a training course on basic critical care echocardiography held in 2019 and 2020. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the factors which might affect their performance on image acquisition, recognizing clinical syndrome, and measuring the diameter of inferior vena cava, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral.Results We enrolled 554 physicians from 412 intensive care units across China. Among them, 185 (33.4%) reported that they had 10%-30% chance of being misled by critical care echocardiography when making therapeutic decision, and 34 (6.1%) reported that the chance was greater than 30%. Intensivists who performed echocardiography under the guidance of a mentor and finished ultrasound scanning more than 10 times per week reported significant higher scores in image acquisition, clinical syndrome recognition, and quantitative measurement of inferior vena cava diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral than those without mentor and performing echocardiography 10 times or less per week respectively (all P < 0.05).Conclusion The skills in diagnostic medical echocardiography of Chinese intensivists after a basic echocardiographic training course remain low, and further quality assurance training program is clearly warranted.

The specificity of body surface temperature of relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma based on infrared thermal imaging technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points in patients with chronic persistent asthma by infrared thermal imaging technology, and observe the specific changes of the body surface temperature of the relevant back-shu points under the condition of lung disease.@*METHODS@#Forty-five patients with chronic persistent asthma (observation group) and 45 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) were measured by BK-MT02A medical infrared thermography.@*RESULTS@#The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The body surface temperature of bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17) was higher than that of ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in body surface temperature between ipsilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), between ipsilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The pathological increase of body surface temperature of Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20) and Shenshu (BL 23) in patients with chronic persistent asthma indicates that above acupoints have specificity in reflecting lung diseases. The Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), which have significantly increased body surface temperature, not only provide objective basis for the pathological pathogenesis of "deficiency in origin and excess in symptom" in patients with chronic persistent asthma, but also reflect the different expressions of different acupoints on the same meridian for the lung diseases.

Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy of Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD).METHODS: A total of 58 patients(58 eyes)with wARMD who were treated in Ningbo Eye Hospital from September 2020 to November 2022 were collected. They were divided into two groups according to randomized digital table: 29 patients(29 eyes)for the combination group and the other 29 patients(29 eyes)for the injection group. The injection group was only given intravitreal injection of conbercept; the combination group was orally administrated with Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)and the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes after 3mo of treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.RESULTS: After 3mo of treatment, the total improved effective rate of the combination group(76%)was higher than the rate of the injection group(66%). After the treatment, the BCVA of the two groups was both higher than that before treatment(P&#x003C;0.05), the CMT in both groups was lower than that before the treatment(P&#x003C;0.05), and the improvement of CMT of the combination group was better than the injection group(-155.93±143.79μm vs. -95.36±56.81μm, P&#x003C;0.05). After 3mo of treatment, each kinds of TCM syndrome in the combination group were significantly improved compared with those syndromes before the treatment(P&#x003C;0.001). In the injection group, only blurred vision was improved(P&#x003C;0.05). After the treatment, the scores of dizziness and insomnia, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, paleness and cold limbs, dry eyes and fatigue in the combination group were significantly lower than the injection group(P&#x003C;0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The Yishen Yanggan Mingmu formula combined with intravitreal anti-VEGF drug injection is effective in the treatment of wARMD.

Analyzing Intention to Purchase Brand Extension via Brand Attribute Associations: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Emotional Consumer-Brand Relationship and Brand Commitment.

The aim of this study is to investigate the drivers of brand extension attributes and its impact on intention to purchase brand extensions mediated by emotional consumer-brand relationship (ECBR). Data was collected from Chinese university students with the help of questionnaire. Structure equation modeling was applied with the help of AMOS to analyze collected data. Results depict that brand attribute association has significant impact on intention to purchase luxury brands extension. Results further explain that emotional consumer-brand relationship mediates the relationship between brand attribute associations and purchase intention of brand extensions. Furthermore, results indicate that brand commitment moderates the relationship between brand attribute associations, emotional consumer-brand relationship and intention to purchase brand extensions. This study provides an intensive knowledge of the association that exists between the intent to buy luxury brands' extension and ECBR. This study focuses on the heart versus mind distinction, which is integral to the research on the relationship between consumers and brands. This study provides useful insights to brand managers to use strategies that enhance the bond between emotional and cognitive factors customers associate with a particular brand. Luxury brand managers ought to balance emotionality and rationality to create and capitalize on unique associations with customers.

The Influence Mechanism of Vegetation Type on the Characteristics of nirS-Type Denitrifying Microbial Communities in Qinghai Lake Wetlands.

Soil denitrification is an important process in the emission of N2O, an atmospheric greenhouse gas. Environmental factors of different vegetation types are largely heterogeneous, which may directly or indirectly affect N2O fluxes. Through high-throughput sequencing of the nitrite reductase gene nirS, this study investigated the influence of vegetation type on the structure and diversity of denitrifying microbial communities in Qinghai Lake wetlands, China. The results showed that among the four vegetation types in the Qinghai Lake wetlands, Carex rigescens (CR) had the highest species richness index, and Leymus secalinus (LS) had the lowest species richness index. Species evenness followed the opposite trend. Proteobacteria were the main denitrifying bacterial phylum in the wetland soil of Qinghai Lake. There were 40 differential bacterial flora at different levels in the four vegetation types, most of which belonged to Proteobacteria. Magnetospirillum is a bacterium that differed significantly across the four vegetation types, and it was one of the main denitrifying taxa based on relative abundance in the LS vegetation type. Soil pH was the most important regulating factor of nirS-type denitrifying microbial community in Qinghai Lake wetland. In summary, the succession of vegetation types in the Qinghai Lake Wetlands changes the soil microenvironment and significantly affects the community structure and diversity of the denitrifying microbial communities. The large-area growth of CR might even increase the emission of nitrous oxide. This study can serve as a reference for further exploration of the N2O emission mechanism in the unique habitats of alpine wetlands.

Evaluation of the effect of cerebral oxygen saturation on infarct progression in patients with acute ischemic stroke based on MR quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of dynamic changes of cerebral oxygen saturation before and after treatment on the progression of infarction in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Totally 39 patients with first onset AIS within 24 hours in Tianjin First Central Hospital and Shanghai Fourth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from May 2018 to July 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. All patients underwent multi-modal MR at admission (baseline) and within 2 weeks after standardized treatment, including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and dynamic magnetic sensitive contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance perfusion imaging (DSC-PWI). The degree of asymmetrically prominent cortical vein (APCV) at admission was observed on SWI, and the venous oxygen saturation (SvO 2) of APCV on the infarcted cerebral hemisphere was calculated in all patients before and after treatment. The original DWI and DSC-PWI images obtained from two MR scans were imported into the software to obtain the delayed perfusion volume [peak time (T max)>6 s] and the infarct core volume (apparent diffusion coeffivient value<620×10 -6 mm 2/s). According to the comparison of baseline infarct core (DWI-ASPECT) score and follow-up (FUP-ASPECT) score, all patients were divided into infarct progression group (27 cases) and non-infarct progression group (12 cases). Two independent sample t-test or Mann Whitney U-test were used to compare the differences of baseline infarct core volume, baseline SvO 2, SvO 2 change, baseline hypoperfusion volume and hypoperfusion volume change between the two groups. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to obtain independent predictors of infarct progression. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between SvO 2 change, hypoperfusion volume change and infarct change score respectively. Results:Difference in baseline infarct core volume, baseline SvO 2, hypoperfusion volume and hypoperfusion volume change between infarct progression group and non-progression group had no statistical significance ( P>0.05). There was significant difference in the change of SvO 2 between the infarct progression group and non-infarct progression group after treatment [(27±11)%, (35±6)% respectively, t=-2.56, P=0.015]. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the change value of SvO 2 was the influencing factor of infarction progression of AIS (OR=0.872, 95%CI 0.773-0.984, P=0.026). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the baseline NIHSS score (OR=1.248, 95%CI 1.042-1.494, P=0.016) was an independent predictor of infarction progression in AIS, and the change value of SvO 2 (OR=0.814, 95%CI 0.688-0.964, P=0.017) was an independent protective factor. The change of SvO 2 was positively correlated with the score of infarct change ( r=0.425, P=0.007). Conclusions:The change of SvO 2 after AIS treatment can independently predict the progress of acute infarction. Improvement of SvO 2 after treatment is conducive to delay the progress of infarction.

SAMHD1 inhibits PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To explore the correlation between SAM domain and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:The expression of SAMHD1 in lung adenocarcinoma and its effect on prognosis were analyzed by online database GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. The expression of SAMHD1 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. SAMHD1 gene was silenced in H1975, H1299 and LLC cells by small interfering RNA transfection and lentivirus infection, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells of control group, siSAMHD1-1 group and siSAMHD1-2 group were detected by qPCR and Western blotting. The membrane PD-L1 level was detected by flow cytometry. A mouse lung adenocarcinoma xenograft model was constructed. The PD-L1 levels in the tumor tissues of control group and shSAMHD1 group were detected by immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation activities of the control, siSAMHD1-1 and siSAMHD1-2 groups were detected by CCK-8 assays.Results:The GEPIA database results showed that the mRNA expression of SAMHD1 in lung adenocarcinoma was lower than that in normal lung tissue (4.81±0.90 vs. 5.99±0.76, t=20.67, P<0.001) . The median overall survival time of patients with high SAMHD1 expression was significantly longer than that of patients with low SAMHD1 expression (109.0 months vs. 87.7 months, χ2=26.83, P=0.002) . The relative mRNA expression levels of SAMHD1 in A549, PC9, H1299 and H1975 cells were 1.00±0.02, 0.75±0.05, 3.49±0.19 and 7.25±0.38 ( F=589.00, P<0.001) , and the relative protein expression levels were 1.00±0.06, 0.34±0.07, 1.67±0.22 and 2.11±0.63 ( F=15.79, P=0.001) . In H1975 cells, the relative mRNA levels of PD-L1 in the control, siSAMHD1-1 and siSAMHD1-2 groups were 1.00±0.00, 1.54±0.26 and 2.89±0.13 ( F=102.30, P<0.001) , and the relative protein expression levels were 1.00±0.01, 1.50±0.10 and 1.52±0.33 ( F=6.65, P=0.030) . In H1299 cells, the relative mRNA levels of PD-L1 in the three groups were 1.00±0.08, 1.63±0.03 and 2.14±0.03 ( F=368.80, P<0.001) , and the relative protein levels of PD-L1 were 1.00±0.07, 1.88±0.35 and 2.05±0.38 ( F=10.66, P=0.011) . The expression level of PD-L1 in the siSAMHD1-1 and siSAMHD1-2 groups was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05) . Flow cytometry results showed that in H1975 cells, the fluorescence intensity of membrane PD-L1 in the control, siSAMHD1-1 and siSAMHD1-2 groups were 246.83±27.59, 325.60±8.00 and 308.93±7.60 ( F=17.56, P=0.003) , and in H1299 cells, the fluorescence intensity of membrane PD-L1 in the three groups were 959.00±6.25, 1 084.33±7.64 and 1 085.33±21.22 ( F=86.74, P<0.001) . The fluorescence intensity of PD-L1 in the siSAMHD1-1 group and siSAMHD1-2 group was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05) . In xenograft mouse model, the H-SCORE of PD-L1 in the shSAMHD1 group was higher than that in the control group (7.99±1.10 vs. 4.49±0.43, t=5.13, P=0.007) . The proliferative activities of H1975 cells in the control group, siSAMHD1-1 group and siSAMHD1-2 group at 72 h were 0.50±0.02, 0.75±0.05 and 0.73±0.06 ( F=25.01, P=0.001) . The proliferative activities of H1299 cells in the three groups at 72 h were 0.80±0.01, 1.00±0.04 and 0.93±0.07 ( F=13.90, P=0.006) . The cell proliferation activity in the siSAMHD1-1 group and siSAMHD1-2 group was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05) . Conclusion:SAMHD1 silencing induces PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung ultrasound score based on the BLUE-plus protocol is associated with the outcomes and oxygenation indices of intensive care unit patients.

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to demonstrate the relationship between lung ultrasound (LUS) manifestations and the outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The secondary objective was to determine the characteristics of LUS manifestations in different subgroups of ICU patients. METHODS: This prospective multi-center cohort study was conducted in 17 ICUs. A total of 1702 patients admitted between August 31, 2017 and February 16, 2019 were included. LUS was performed according to the bedside lung ultrasound in emergency (BLUE)-plus protocol, and LUS scores were calculated. Data on the outcomes and oxygenation indices were analyzed and compared between different primary indication groups. RESULTS: The LUS scores were significantly higher for non-survivors than for survivors and were significantly different between the oxygenation index groups, with higher scores in the lower oxygenation index groups. The LUS score was an independent risk factor for the 28-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.663 for prediction of the 28-day mortality and 0.748 for prediction of an oxygenation index ≤100. CONCLUSIONS: The LUS score based on the BLUE-plus protocol was an independent risk factor for the 28-day mortality and was important for the prediction of an oxygenation index ≤100. An early LUS score within 24 hours of ICU admission helps predicting the outcome of ICU patients.

Effect of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in Combination with Lung Ultrasound on Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study in China.

Objective Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) and lung ultrasound (LU) are increasingly being used in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FCU in combination with LU on these patients and to determine if the timing of ultrasound examination was associated with treatment change. Methods This is a multicenter cross-sectional observational study. Consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were screened for enrollment. FCU and LU were performed within the first 24 h, and treatment change was proposed by the performer based on the ultrasound results and other clinical conditions. Results Among the 992 patients included, 502 were examined within 6 h of ICU admission (early phase group), and 490 were examined after 6 h of admission (later phase group). The early phase group and the later phase group had similar proportions of treatment change (48.8% vs. 49.0%, χ 2=0.003, P=0.956). In the multivariable analysis, admission for respiratory failure was an independent variable associated with treatment change, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.357 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.284-4.326, P=0.006]; the timing of examination was not associated with treatment change (OR=0.725, 95%CI: 0.407-1.291, P=0.275). Conclusions FCU in combination with LU, whether performed during the early phase or later phase, had a significant impact on the treatment of critically ill patients. Patients with respiratory failure were more likely to experience treatment change after the ultrasound examination.

Identification of a new azoreductase driven prodrug from bardoxolone methyl and 5-aminosalicylate for the treatment of colitis in mice / 中国天然药物

For local treatment of ulcerative colitis, a new azoreductase driven prodrug CDDO-AZO from bardoxolone methyl (CDDO-Me) and 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) was designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated. It is proposed that orally administrated CDDO-AZO is stable before reaching the colon, while it can also be triggered by the presence of azoreductase in the colon to fragment into CDDO-Me and 5-ASA, generating potent anti-colitis effects. Superior to olsalazine (OLS, a clinically used drug for ulcerative colitis) and CDDO-Me plus 5-ASA, CDDO-AZO significantly attenuated inflammatory colitis symptoms in DSS-induced chronic colitis mice, which suggested that CDDO-AZO may be a promising anti-ulcerative colitis agent.

A feasibility study of predictive values of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis from cN1-stage papillary thyroid carcinoma based on dual-energy CT nomogram / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of predicting lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) based on the nomogram constructed by dual-energy CT data.Methods:In total 417 patients with PTC confirmed by pathology in Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed as a training group. Internal validation was conducted, including 139 patients in the LLNM group and 278 patients in the non-LLNM group. A total of 169 PTC patients from January 2019 to June 2020 were included as an external validation group, including 58 patients in the LLNM group and 111 patients in the non-LLNM group. The morphological characteristics of the primary thyroid lesions on dual-energy CT iodine maps were analyzed, including tumor location, maximum diameter, calcification, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE). Iodine concentration (IC) of the PTC parenchyma and the internal carotid artery on the same level in the arterial and venous phases were measured, and normalized iodine concentration (NIC) was calculated. The independent risk factors for LLNM were obtained by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Base on the results, a prediction model was constructed and expressed in the form of a nomogram. The internal and external validation of the model was carried out using ROC curve.Results:Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that the lesion location in the upper polar of the thyroid, the presence of ETE, IC in arterial phase>2.9 mg/ml, IC in the venous phase>3.2 mg/ml, and NIC in the arterial phase>0.21 were independent risk factors for LLNM prediction. The nomogram based on the above factors was constructed with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.895 (95%CI 0.862-0.923). With a cut-off value of 0.79, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.3% and 75.2%, respectively. As for the external validation group, the AUC of the model was 0.887 (95%CI 0.830-0.931), with the sensitivity of 82.8%, and the specificity of 81.1%.Conclusion:The application values of the nomogram model based on dual-energy CT data in preoperative evaluation of the possibility of LLNM of PTC patients has been verified. The model constructed in this study might be helpful with the individualized treatment in a certain degree.

Clinical features and genetic results of 6 cases with pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 and literature review / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To summarize clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of children with pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) and review relevant literatures to improve the understanding of the disease and reduce misdiagnosis.Methods:Six children with the main performance of salt losing treated in the Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018, who were diagnosed as PHA1 after relevant auxiliary examinations and genetic tests.They were classified and analyzed for their treatment courses and follow-up prognosis.Results:Six children with PHA1 had varying degrees of salt losing, dehydration and infection.After the examination, 3 cases with urinary system malformations were diagnosed as secondary PHA1.Genetic testing of 2 cases revealed 2 hete-rozygous mutations c. 1439+ 1G>C and c. 875+ 1G>A in the intron region of the SCNN1A gene, and they were diagnosed as multiple target organ defect/systemic PHA1 according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG) guidelines.The other case failed to be examined by genetic testing due to the refusal of parents, and was finally diagnosed as renal PHA1 according to clinical diagnosis and treatment.Conclusions:PHA1 is a rare cause of infant salt-losing syndrome, renal and secondary PHA1 children can recover quickly after sodium supplementation and the secondary factors are removed; while multiple target organ defect/systemic PHA1 has severe clinical manifestations, electrolyte imbalance is not easy to correct, and fatal arrhythmia is prone to occur, the mortality rate is high.It is easy to be misdiagnosed in clinical practice.Auxiliary examination and genetic testing can help to diagnose and classify PHA1, as well as individualized treatment.

The role and application prospect of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in tumor treatment / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Novel cancer immunotherapy can treat tumors through regulating innate immunity and adaptive immune system. cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a key regulator of innate immune response to both exogenous and endogenous DNA. After recognizing the cytoplasmic DNA, cGAS produces the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which subsequently combines with the adaptor STING (also known as MITA, MPYS and ERIS) to mediate innate immunity by inducing the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have revealed that the cGAS/STING signaling pathway can be activated by tumor-derived DNA and by-products of genomic instability and affect the incidence and development of tumors, which plays a critical role in the natural antitumor immunity across cancer types and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. In this article, current understanding of cGAS/STING signaling pathway in tumors was summarized, the pivotal role in tumor immunity and radiotherapy was highlighted, and the potential targeted or alternative therapy of this signaling pathway was reviewed.