Effect of colchicine on LPS induced endothelial mesenchymal transformation and its mechanism / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of colchicine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and its related mechanisms. Methods The EndMT model was established by treating HUVECs with LPS. Cell proliferation rate was detected by CCK-8 assay, cytotoxicity was detected by LDH assay, and the optimal drug concentration was screened. The cells were divided into the normal control group, the normal control + colchicine (10 nmol • L) group, the LPS (10 mg • L) model group, and the LPS + colchicine (10 nmol • L) group. The morphologic changes of the cells were observed under an inverted microscope, the cell migration ability was detected by Transwell assay, and the ability of tube formation was analyzed by tube formation assay. The expression of endothelial markers (CD31/ VE-cadherin) and mesenchymal cell markers (a-SMA/FSP-1) were detected by Western blot. NF-KB inhibitor was used to detect the changes in related signaling pathways. Results CCK-8 and LDH experiments showed that 10 nmol • L colchicine was the optimal concentration. LPS could induce morphological changes in HUVECs, and colchicine could reverse morphological changes in HUVECs to a certain extent. Transwell experiment showed that the migration ability of HUVECs in the LPS treatment group was significantly enhanced (P < 0. 05), and colchicine could significantly reverse this phenomenon (P < 0. 05) . Tube formation experiment showed that LPS decreased the endothelial tube formation ability of HUVECs (P < 0. 05), while colchicine treatment markedly improved LPS-induced tube formation defects (P < 0. 05) . Western blot assay showed that after colchicine co-cultured with LPS, the expression levels of CD31 and VE-cadherin significantly increased compared with the model group (P < 0. 05), while the expression levels of a-SMA and FSP-1 significantly decreased compared with the model group (P < 0. 05) . During the induction of EndMT by LPS, colchicine could inhibit the activation of the NF-KB/Snail signaling pathway. Conclusions Colchicine can effectively inhibit EndMT induced by LPS, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NF-KB/Snail signaling pathway.

Pure platelet-rich plasma promotes semaphorin-3A expression: a novel insight to ameliorate intervertebral disk degeneration in vitro.

INTRODUCTION: Intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) can be effectively treated using platelet-rich plasma (PRP). While the exact process is fully understood, it is believed that using pure PRP (P-PRP) without leukocytes is a better option for preventing IVDD. Semaphorin-3A (Sema3A), an inhibitor of angiogenesis and innervation, is essential for preserving IVDD's homeostasis. Whether PRP prevents IVDD by modifying Sema3A has yet to receive much research. This work aims to clarify how P-PRP affects Sema3A when IVDD develops in vitro. METHODS: Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) isolated from 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 10 ng/ml IL-1ß and then treated with P-PRP or leukocyte platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) in vitro, followed by measuring cell proliferation, apoptosis and microstructures, inflammatory gene and Sema3A expression, as well as anabolic and catabolic protein expression by immunostaining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In comparison with L-PRP, P-PRP had a higher concentration of growth factors but a lower concentration of inflammatory substances. P-PRP increased the proliferation of NPCs, while IL-1 relieved the amount of apoptosis due to its intervention. Anabolic genes, aggrecan, and collagen II had higher expression levels. MMP-3 and ADAMTS-4, two catabolic or inflammatory genes, showed lower expression levels. Sema3A activity was enhanced after P-PRP injection, whereas CD31 and NF200 expression levels were suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: P-PRP enhanced the performance of NPCs in IVDD by modifying the NF-κB signaling pathway and encouraging Sema3A expression, which may offer new therapy options for IVDD. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The findings provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of IVDD and show a novel light on the probable mechanism of PRP and the function of Sema3A in the progression of IVDD.

Casticin Attenuates Stemness in Cervical Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Regulating Activity and Expression of DNMT1 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore whether casticin (CAS) suppresses stemness in cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) obtained from human cervical cancer (CCSLCs) and the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#Spheres from HeLa and CaSki cells were used as CCSLCs. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) activity and mRNA levels, self-renewal capability (Nanog and Sox2), and cancer stem cell markers (CD133 and CD44), were detected by a colorimetric DNMT activity/inhibition assay kit, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, sphere and colony formation assays, and immunoblot, respectively. Knockdown and overexpression of DNMT1 by transfection with shRNA and cDNA, respectively, were performed to explore the mechanism for action of CAS (0, 10, 30, and 100 nmol/L).@*RESULTS@#DNMT1 activity was increased in CCSLCs compared with HeLa and CaSki cells (P<0.05). In addition, HeLa-derived CCSLCs transfected with DNMT1 shRNA showed reduced sphere and colony formation abilities, and lower CD133, CD44, Nanog and Sox2 protein expressions (P<0.05). Conversely, overexpression of DNMT1 in HeLa cells exhibited the oppositive effects. Furthermore, CAS significantly reduced DNMT1 activity and transcription levels as well as stemness in HeLa-derived CCSLCs (P<0.05). Interestingly, DNMT1 knockdown enhanced the inhibitory effect of CAS on stemness. As expected, DNMT1 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of CAS on stemness in HeLa cells.@*CONCLUSION@#CAS effectively inhibits stemness in CCSLCs through suppression of DNMT1 activation, suggesting that CAS acts as a promising preventive and therapeutic candidate in cervical cancer.

Pathological characteristics and clinical prognosis of nodular sclerosis grade 2 of classic Hodgkin's lymphoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To investigate the pathological characteristics and clinical prognosis of nodular sclerosis grade 2 of classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL-NS2) in our cancer center. Methods: A retrospective collection of 23 cases of cHL-NS2 admitted in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from July 2008 to April 2019 was performed. Fifty-five cases of nodular sclerosis grade 1 of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL-NS1) during the same period were selected as control group. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for survival. Results: The median age of 23 cases of cHL-NS2 was 30 years old. Five cases had extra nodal invasion, and 19 cases were Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage based on Ann Arbor system. The pathological morphology of cHL-NS2 showed that the lymph node structure was completely destroyed and was divided into nodules by thick collagen. The tumor cells in the nodules were abundant and proliferated in sheets. The boundaries between the tumor cells were not clear. The incidence of tumor necrosis in cHL-NS2 was 43.5% (10/23), which was significantly higher than 18.2% (10/55) in cHL-NS1 (P=0.040). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of patients in the cHL-NS2 group was 58.1%, which was significantly lower than 89.7% in the cHL-NS1 group (P=0.002). In all of 78 cases, the 3-year PFS rate of patients who did not obtain complete response (CR) was 67.1%, which was significantly lower than 92.2% in patients who achieved CR (P=0.030). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that both cHL-NS2 and failure to obtain CR by first-line treatment were independent indicators for short PFS time (P<0.05). Conclusions: In cHL-NS2, the morphology of tumor cells are diverse, and tumor necrosis can be easily found. Under the current first-line treatments of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) or bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP), cHL-NS2 is an independent indicator for worse PFS.

Exendin-4 attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction by regulating SIRTl/p53 signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of Exendin-4 high glucose and the function of silent information reg- on endothelial progenitor cells ( EPCs) induced by ulator 1 (SIRT1 ).Methods EPCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers.Different concentrations of Exendin-4( 12.5, 50, 100, 200 (xmol • L"1) induced EPCs were respectively performed by activity test to select the appropriate concentration.The optimal concentrations of Exendin-4 and high glucose (25 mmol • L 1) were incubated together for 72 h to detect the functional activities of EPCs.The capabilities of migration, adhension and tube formation of EPCs in vitro were detected respectively.The levels of LDH and MDA in EPCs were detected.The mRNA expressions of TNF-a, 1L-1 p and IL-6 in EPCs were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR ( RT-qPCR ).The protein expression of SIRT1 , P53 and Ac-P53 in EPCs were determined by Western blot.Results Ex- endin-4 could increase the viability of EPCs induced by j J high glucose in a dose-dependent manner, especially for 50 (xmol • L "1 (P <0.05 ).Hie results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of SIRT1 was significantly enhanced by 50 |xmol • L"' Exendin-4 treatment ( P < 0.05 ).Compared with high glucose group, Exenclin-4 significantly increased the migration, adhesion, tube formation of EPCs (P<0.05) and decreased the level of LDH and MDA ( P < 0.05 ).The mRNA expression of TNF-cx, lL-(3 and IL-6 in EPCs also decreased (P < 0.05).However, the protective effects of Exendin-4 could he significantly blocked by SIRT1 inhibitor ( EX-527) (P<0.05).In addition, the S1HT1 agonist ( SHT1720 ) could also improve the dysfunction of EPCs induced by high glucose ( P < 0.05).Conclusions Exendin-4 can improve the viability of human EPCs, restore the EPCs normal function, reduce high glucose-induced oxidative damage, and reduce the releases of inflammatory cvtokines un- j j der high glucose condition, which may be related to the regulation of S1HT1/P53 signaling pathway.

Topological Alterations of Working Memory Impairment in Aged Patients With Vascular Dementia.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a common disease causing vascular dementia. Survivors often suffer from cognitive impairment especially working memory deficit. Currently, lack of theoretical support limits the improvement of cognitive intervention or rehabilitation. It is unclear how the large-scale network differs and to what extent is the brain network affected? Our study aims to provide novel information about the topological characteristics of brain organization, especially "small-world" property. A total of 62 aSAH patients are enrolled in this study. They are divided into two groups according to the syndrome of working memory deficit. Their working memory function is evaluated by TMT-B and AVLT (Chinese version). Functional MRI scan is also performed for detecting resting-state cortical plasticity. We utilized ICA to extract functional sub-networks including working memory network from imaging data. And then we establish binarized network and calculate the small-worldness property as well as local and global efficiency of networks. aSAH group with working memory deficit shows no significant difference of clustering coefficient with control group. Our study discovered significant decrease of characteristic path length indicating an increase of overall routing efficiency. We reason that patients with working memory deficit have to recruit more neuronal resources and thus develops higher overall routing efficiency of local network. This study provides novel information about the neural alterations of aSAH patients with working memory deficit. It might contribute to the understanding of neural mechanism and the improvement of current intervention for vascular dementia.

Application of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD30, CD23 and BCL-6 in Diagnosis and Prognostic Evaluation of Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To explore the application value of treatment-related markers PD-L1, PD-L2, CD30, CD23, BCL-2, BCL-6, MUM1 and GATA3 in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma(PMBL). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 34 patients diagnosed with PMBL, and 31 patients with DLBCL-NOS which was not primary in the mediastinum were taken as control group. The expressions of 8 proteins were detected by IHC staining. Results The median percentages of tumor cells with PD-L1, PD-L2 and CD30 expression in PMBL group were 70% (30%, 90%), 25% (0, 70%) and 17.5% (0, 60%) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the DLBCL-NOS group (P < 0.05). The positive rates of CD30 and CD23 in PMBL group were 61.76% (21/34) and 76.47% (26/34) respectively, significantly different with those in the DLBCL-NOS group (P=0.000). The survival curve of PMBL patients with CD30 or BCL-6 expression showed a trend of poor prognosis, despite the P value was > 0.05. Conclusion The high expression levels of PD-L1, PD-L2 and CD30 in PMBL are helpful to accurately identify more patients who may respond to immune or targeted therapy. Immunohistochemical staining of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD30 and CD23 is helpful for the differential diagnosis of PMBL and DLBCL-NOS. As candidate prognostic indicators of PMBL, CD30 and BCL-6 should be further studied in a larger number of samples.

Efficacy of Getong Tongluo Capsule () for Convalescent-Phase of Ischemic Stroke and Primary Hypertension: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate whether the efficacy of Getong Tongluo Capsule (, GTC, consisted of total flavone of Radix Puerariae) on improving patients' quality of life and lowering blood pressure are superior to the extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) for patients with convalescent-phase ischemic stroke and primary hypertension.@*METHODS@#This randomized, positive-drug- and placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted from September 2015 to October 2017. Totally 477 eligible patients from 18 hospitals in China were randomly assigned in a 2:1:1 ratio to the following interventions, twice a day for 12 weeks: (1) GTC 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg (237 cases, GTC group), (2) EGB 40 mg plus GTC-matching placebo 250 mg (120 cases, EGB group) or (3) GTC-matching placebo 250 mg plus EGB-matching placebo 40 mg (120 cases, placebo group). Moreover, all patients were orally administered aspirin enteric-coated tablets 100 mg, once a day for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Barthel Index (BI). The secondary outcomes included the control rate of blood pressure and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. The incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) were calculated and assessed.@*RESULTS@#The BI relative independence rates, the clinical recovery rates of NIHSS, and the total effective rates of NIHSS in the GTC and EGB groups were significantly higher than the placebo group at 12 weeks after treatment (P0.05). The control rate of blood pressure in the GTC group was significantly higher than the EGB and placebo groups at 12, 18 and 24 weeks after treatment (P0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#GTC exhibited significant efficacy in improving patients' quality of life as well as neurological function and controlling hypertension. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800016667).

Preliminary study of lateral tibia periosteum distraction for the treatment of chronic ischemic diseases of lower limbs / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of lateral tibial periosteum distraction on diabetic foot and vasculitis foot.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 13 patients (16 feet) who received lateral tibial periosteal distraction between June 2019 and May 2020 were included in the study. 9 males and 4 females; aged 39-77 years (average 66 years); left foot 7 cases, right foot 9 cases. 5 cases were patients with diabetic foot, 1 case was diabetic foot with arteriosclerosis obliterans, 2 cases were thromboembolic vasculitis, and 5 cases were arteriosclerosis obliterans. The tibial periosteum was dissected and a distraction device was placed. In the 3 patients with foot ulcers, tibial periosteum distraction devices were placed on the severer side. The periosteal distraction began on the third day after surgery, about 0.75 mm/d, the adjustment was done usually in two weeks. Two weeks later, the stretch plate was removed surgically. The followings were evaluated: visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, foot peripheral oxygen saturation, foot capillary filling test, lower extremity arterial CT angiography (CTA), etc.Results:All 13 patients were followed up for 2-12 weeks, with an average of 3.85 weeks. VAS pain score: the average pain score of 13 patients with preoperative foot pain was 5.31±1.84 (range, 2-9) points, and 2 weeks after surgery, the average value was 2.46±1.39 (range, 1-6) points with statistical significance ( t=6.124, P<0.001) ; peripheral foot oxygen saturation: the average preoperative blood oxygen saturation of 12 patients was 87.83%±14.83% (range, 50%-98%), 1 patient was not detected before surgery, and 2 weeks after operation, the average blood oxygen saturation was 92.33%±7.91% (range, 75%-99%). There was no significant difference between them ( t=1.124, P=0.285). The foot skin temperature of 10 patients was 35.68±0.85 ℃ (range, 34.00-36.60 ℃) before surgery and 36.23±0.46 ℃ (range, 35.50-36.90 ℃) after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.197, P=0.008) . Capillary filling test: 2 weeks after operation, the capillary filling response was significantly improved. All 13 patients had improved CTA of both lower extremity arteries before operation, and 11 patients had CTA taken back after two weeks of operation. Compared with preoperative CTA, new vascular network was found in the operation limb. In addition to 1 patient with thromboangiitis obliterans (mainly suffering from foot pain, no wound symptoms), 2 of 12 patients with heart failure, renal failure and other basic diseases did not heal, and the wounds of the other 10 patients had improved significantly 1 month later. Conclusion:Lateral tibia periosteum distraction can be used to treat chronic ischemic diseases of lower extremities with satisfactory postoperative results.

Effect of Exendin-4 on endothelial progenitor cell function and AKT/eNOS signaling pathway in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of Exendin4 on proliferation, migration, adhesion and senescence of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in type I diabetic mice and its possible mechanism. Methods EPCs from 6-month diabetic mice were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation. Cells were treated with different concentrations of Exendin-4 (1, 5, 10, 25 μmol · L

Role and treatment of ARIDIA in mutant tumors / 中国药理学通报

ARIDI A encodes a non-catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF chromosome remodeling complex BAF. Cancer genome sequencing data based on next-generation sequencing techniques have shown that ARIDIA is frequently mutated in a variety of cancers, up to 20% in some cancer types. A growing body of evidence shows that ARIDIA, as a tumor suppressor gene, affects the occurrence and development of cancers. ARIDIA plays an important role in cell cycle, DNA replication, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation, which might contribute to tumor formation, proliferation and migration. This review article mainly describes the research progress on ARIDIA in pan-cancer, as well as potential therapeutics, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

An Antioxidant Enzyme Therapeutic for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on people worldwide, and there are currently no specific antivirus drugs or vaccines. We report herein a therapeutic based on catalase, an antioxidant enzyme that can effectively breakdown hydrogen peroxide and minimize the downstream reactive oxygen species, which are excessively produced resulting from the infection and inflammatory process. Catalase assists to regulate production of cytokines, protect oxidative injury, and repress replication of SARS-CoV-2, as demonstrated in human leukocytes and alveolar epithelial cells, and rhesus macaques, without noticeable toxicity. Such a therapeutic can be readily manufactured at low cost as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

2-Methylcitrate cycle: a well-regulated controller of Bacillus sporulation.

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely used eco-friendly biopesticide, containing two primary determinants of biocontrol, endospore and insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). The 2-methylcitrate cycle is a widespread carbon metabolic pathway playing a crucial role in channelling propionyl-CoA, but with poorly understood metabolic regulatory mechanisms. Here, we dissect the transcriptional regulation of the 2-methylcitrate cycle operon prpCDB and report its unprecedented role in controlling the sporulation process of B. thuringiensis. We found that the transcriptional activity of the prp operon encoding the three critical enzymes PrpC, PrpD, and PrpB in the 2-methylcitrate cycle was negatively regulated by the two global transcription factors CcpA and AbrB, while positively regulated by the LysR family regulator CcpC, which jointly account for the fact that the 2-methylcitrate cycle is specifically and highly active in the stationary phase of growth. We also found that the prpD mutant accumulated 2-methylcitrate, the intermediate metabolite of the 2-methylcitrate cycle, which delayed and inhibited sporulation at the early stage. Thus, our results not only revealed sophisticated transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for the metabolic 2-methylcitrate cycle but also identified 2-methylcitrate as a novel regulator of sporulation in B. thuringiensis.

Promoter methylation of SREBP-2 in circulating leukocytes correlates with relevant risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To examine the correlation between the promoter methylation of Sterol regulatory-element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) and miR-33a expression as well as serum markers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods:The case-control study. 100 participants who underwent coronary angiography from August 2017 to April 2018 in TaiheHospital, Hubei University of Medicine, were recruited in this study.The methylation level of two fragments, including 12 CpG sites in the promoter region of SREBP-2, have been detected by pyrosequencing in 50 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 50 non-CAD controls. Serum miR-33a level and a panel of 15 CAD related biomarkers were examined by qPCR and routine biochemistry methods.Results:Methylation level of one CpG site (F1-4 loci) in SREBP-2 promoter region were significant higher in CAD patients than in controls(4.56%±0.70% vs 3.54%±0.72%, t=-3.864, P<0.001); methylation level of F1-4 site was negatively correlates with the serum miR-33a levels and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels( r=-0.318, P=0.001; r=-0.225, P=0.024, respectively). Furthermore, F1-4 hypermethylation was an independent risk factor of CAD, independent of age, gender, histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes( OR=2.452, 95 %CI=1.398-4.299, P=0.002). Conclusion:These results suggest that DNA methylation and miRNA might cooperate to regulate the lipid metabolism in CAD.

Promoter methylation of SREBP-2 in circulating leukocytes correlates with relevant risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective@#To examine the correlation between the promoter methylation of Sterol regulatory-element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) and miR-33a expression as well as serum markers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).@*Methods@#The case-control study. 100 participants who underwent coronary angiography from August 2017 to April 2018 in TaiheHospital, Hubei University of Medicine, were recruited in this study.The methylation level of two fragments, including 12 CpG sites in the promoter region of SREBP-2, have been detected by pyrosequencing in 50 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 50 non-CAD controls. Serum miR-33a level and a panel of 15 CAD related biomarkers were examined by qPCR and routine biochemistry methods.@*Results@#Methylation level of one CpG site (F1-4 loci) in SREBP-2 promoter region were significant higher in CAD patients than in controls(4.56%±0.70% vs 3.54%±0.72%, t=-3.864, P<0.001); methylation level of F1-4 site was negatively correlates with the serum miR-33a levels and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels(r=-0.318, P=0.001; r=-0.225, P=0.024, respectively). Furthermore, F1-4 hypermethylation was an independent risk factor of CAD, independent of age, gender, histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes(OR=2.452, 95%CI=1.398-4.299, P=0.002).@*Conclusion@#These results suggest that DNA methylation and miRNA might cooperate to regulate the lipid metabolism in CAD.

Analysis of the technical key points and clinical effect of full-endoscopic lumbar annulus fibrosus suture / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To introduce the technical key points of lumbar annulus fibrosus suture under full-endoscope and analyze the clinical efficacy of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy and annulus fibrosus suture.@*METHODS@#A total of 50 patients with non contained lumbar disc herniation treated with full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy and annulus fibrosus suture in our department between January 2018 and November 2018 were included. Full-endoscopic single-stitch suture through transforaminal approach or double-stitch suture through interlaminar approach was selected according to lesion level. The lumbar MRI and CT were reexamined on the second day and 3 months after surgery to evaluate the completeness of the discectomy and the adequacy of nerve decompression respectively. The patients were followed up on the second day, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery for pain relief using visual analogue scale (VAS, 100 -point scale). The patients were followed up at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively for the recovery of lumbar spine function using Oswestry Disability Index(ODI). At the 1-year follow-up, the Macnab standard of lumbar spine function was evaluated, and the recovery of nerve root function (sensory, muscular and reflex) was recorded.@*RESULTS@#All operations were successfully completed, of which 27 patients were treated with transforaminal approach(including 8 cases of L and 19 cases of L), and 23 patients(including 11 cases of L and 12 cases of LS) with interlaminar approach. The average operation time was 43.2 minutes. There were no surgical complications and no recurrence of lumbar disc herniation. Postoperative lumbar MRI and CT examinations of all patients showed that the herniated disc was completely removed and the nerveswere fully decompressed. All patients had significant relief of low back pain and lower extremity radiation pain, and the ODI score improved significantly(0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy and annulus fibrosus suture are safe and effective techniques for minimally invasive spinal surgery, which can reduce the recurrence rate of lumbar disc herniation after full endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

[Percutaneously full endoscopic decompressive laminectomy with precise localization for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of full endoscopic fenestration (FE-FE) via interlaminar approach for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), and meanwhile, to analyze the related practicability and clinical outcome. METHODS: Referring to the traditional laminectomy and decompression, the lumbar spinal canal decompression was performed by using the water-medium spinal endoscopy (named FE-FE technique). Thirty-seven patients with LSS treated by FE-FE technique were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 males and 18 females, aged from 55 to 83 years old with an average of (67.1±18.9) years. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores(JOA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were recorded. The patient's conscious pain and recovery of neurological function were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the improvement rate of JOA score. RESULTS: All 37 patients were followed up for 8 to 24 months with an average of (13.7±6.1) months. The postoperative follow-up and clinical evaluation for conscious pain and neurological function recovery showed that VAS, JOA, ODI and SF-36 scores were significantly improved compared with those before surgery(P<0.05). According to the improvement rate of JOA score to evaluate the clinical effects, at 6 months after opertion, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases;and the last follow-up, the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 1 case. Postoperative imaging showed significant expansion of spine canal volume, and the followed-up clinical symptoms were improved satisfactorily, with the relief of lumbago and leg pain, improvement of daily life quality, and increased adaptability to social activities and no serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Precise localization is the key to complete the canal decompression under full endoscopic surgery. FE-FE technique can effectively enlarge the narrow lumbar canal with less trauma, positive efficacy, safety and reliability. FE-FE has a broad application prospect though large cases and multi-center studies need to be further carried out.

Standard Decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix Pieces / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To prepare standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces,and conduct a study on the quality standards, in order to provide the scientific reference for the study of clinical application and other decoction standard decoctions. Method:By the traditional water decocting method,11 batches of standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces were prepared to determine pH,prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol content,calculate the paste rate and transfer rate,and investigate the feasibility of the measurement method. An analytical method for HPLC fingerprint was established. Hypersil ODS2 column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was adopted and eluted with methanol-water as the mobile phase in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 254 nm,the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1,and the column temperature was 25℃. The fingerprint analysis method was used to evaluate the similarity of the 11 batches of standard decoction of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces. Result:Through the determination of 11 batches of standard decoctions of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces,the average pH value was 5.5,the paste-out rates were between 34.3% and 46.3%,and the average paste-out rate was 41.4%,the standard deviation was 3.7%, the transfer rate of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin was 66.8%-93.5%,the average metastasis rate was 79.4%,the standard deviation was 12.1%, the transfer rate of 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol was 70.4%-98.2%,the average transfer rate was 83.40%,the standard deviation of 10.8%. The results of various methodological studies were consistent with the requirements of RSD. The fingerprinting analysis was performed using similarity evaluation software for traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints,and 9 principal common peaks were identified. The similarity was higher than 0.9. Conclusion:The quality evaluation method established in this study has a good stability,precision and repeatability. The fingerprints have a high similarity,which is suitable for the quality evaluation of standard decoctions of Saposhnikoviae Radix pieces, and can provide the scientific basis for the quality evaluation of other related preparations.

Genomic analysis reveals genes affecting distinct phenotypes among different Chinese and western pig breeds.

The differences in artificial and natural selection have been some of the factors contributing to phenotypic diversity between Chinese and western pigs. Here, 830 individuals from western and Chinese pig breeds were genotyped using the reduced-representation genotyping method. First, we identified the selection signatures for different pig breeds. By comparing Chinese pigs and western pigs along the first principal component, the growth gene IGF1R; the immune genes IL1R1, IL1RL1, DUSP10, RAC3 and SWAP70; the meat quality-related gene SNORA50 and the olfactory gene OR1F1 were identified as candidate differentiated targets. Further, along a principal component separating Pudong White pigs from others, a potential causal gene for coat colour (EDNRB) was discovered. In addition, the divergent signatures evaluated by Fst within Chinese pig breeds found genes associated with the phenotypic features of coat colour, meat quality and feed efficiency among these indigenous pigs. Second, admixture and genomic introgression analysis were performed. Shan pigs have introgressed genes from Berkshire, Yorkshire and Hongdenglong pigs. The results of introgression mapping showed that this introgression conferred adaption to the local environment and coat colour of Chinese pigs and the superior productivity of western pigs.

Electrically controlled mass transport into microfluidic droplets from nanodroplet carriers with application in controlled nanoparticle flow synthesis.

Microfluidic droplets have been applied extensively as reaction vessels in a wide variety of chemical and biological applications. Typically, once the droplets are formed in a flow channel, it is a challenge to add new chemicals to the droplets for subsequent reactions in applications involving multiple processing steps. Here, we present a novel and versatile method that employs a high strength alternating electrical field to tunably transfer chemicals into microfluidic droplets using nanodroplets as chemical carriers. We show that the use of both continuous and cyclic burst square wave signals enables extremely sensitive control over the total amount of chemical added and, equally importantly, the rate of addition of the chemical from the nanodroplet carriers to the microfluidic droplets. An a priori theoretical model was developed to model the mass transport process under the convection-controlled scenario and compared with experimental results. We demonstrate an application of this method in the controlled preparation of gold nanoparticles by reducing chloroauric acid pre-loaded in microfluidic droplets with l-ascorbic acid supplied from miniemulsion nanodroplets. Under different field strengths, l-ascorbic acid is supplied in controllable quantities and addition rates, rendering the particle size and size distribution tunable. Finally, this method also enables multistep synthesis by the stepwise supply of miniemulsions containing different chemical species. We highlight this with a first report of a three-step Au-Pd core-shell nanoparticle synthesis under continuous flow conditions.