[Migration, Transformation, and Toxicity of Quaternary Ammonium Antimicrobial Agents in the Environment].

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are one type of widely used cationic biocide, and their usage amount is growing rapidly due to the flu and COVID-19 pandemic. Many QACs were released into the environment in or after the course of their use, and thus they were widely detected in water, sediment, soil, and other environmental media. QACs have stronger surface activity and non-specific biotoxicity, which poses a potential threat to the ecosystem. In this study, the environmental fate and potential toxicity of QACs were documented in terms of their migration and transformation process, biological toxicity effects, and the main mechanisms of bacterial resistance to QACs. Aerobic biodegradation was the main natural way of eliminating QACs in the environment, and the reaction was mainly initiated by the hydroxylation of C atoms at different positions of QACs and finally mineralized to CO2and H2O through decarboxylation, demethylation, and ß-oxidation reaction. Toxicological studies showed that QACs at environmental concentrations could not pose acute toxicity to the selected biotas but threatened the growth and reproduction of aquatic organisms like Daphnia magna. Their toxicity effects depended on their molecular structure, the tested species, and the exposed durations. Additionally, our team first investigated the toxicity effects and mechanisms of QACs toward Microcystis aeruginosa, which showed that QACs depressed the algae growth through the denaturation of photosynthetic organelles, suppression of electron transport, and then induction of cell membrane damage. In the environment, the concentrations of QACs were always lower than their bactericidal concentrations, and their degradation could induce the formation of a concentration gradient, which facilitated microbes resistant to QACs. The known resistance mechanisms of bacteria to QACs mainly included the change in cell membrane structure and composition, formation of biofilm, overexpression of the efflux pump gene, and acquisition of resistance genes. Due to the similar targets and mechanisms, QACs could also induce the occurrence of antibiotic resistance, mainly through co-resistance and cross-resistance. Based on the existing data, future research should emphasize the toxicity effect and the potential QACs resistance mechanism of microorganisms in real environmental conditions.

A novel nomogram for the preoperative prediction of sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND OR PURPOSE: A practical noninvasive method to identify sentinel lymph node (SLN) status in breast cancer patients, who had a suspicious axillary lymph node (ALN) at ultrasound (US), but a negative clinical physical examination is needed. To predict SLN metastasis using a nomogram based on US and biopsy-based pathological features, this retrospective study investigated associations between clinicopathological features and SLN status. METHODS: Patients treated with SLN dissection at four centers were apportioned to training, internal, or external validation sets (n = 472, 175, and 81). Lymph node ultrasound and pathological characteristics were compared using chi-squared and t-tests. A nomogram predicting SLN metastasis was constructed using multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: In the training set, statistically significant factors associated with SLN+ were as follows: histology type (p < 0.001); progesterone receptor (PR: p = 0.003); Her-2 status (p = 0.049); and ALN-US shape (p = 0.034), corticomedullary demarcation (CMD: p < 0.001), and blood flow (p = 0.001). With multivariate analysis, five independent variables (histological type, PR status, ALN-US shape, CMD, and blood flow) were integrated into the nomogram (C-statistic 0.714 [95% CI: 0.688-0.740]) and validated internally (0.816 [95% CI: 0.784-0.849]) and externally (0.942 [95% CI: 0.918-0.966]), with good predictive accuracy and clinical applicability. CONCLUSION: This nomogram could be a direct and reliable tool for individual preoperative evaluation of SLN status, and therefore aids decisions concerning ALN dissection and adjuvant treatment.

CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules: the effect of the position of microcoil proximal end on the incidence of microcoil dislocation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of the position of microcoil proximal end on the incidence of microcoil dislocation during CT-guided microcoil localization of pulmonary nodules (PNs). METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients with PNs who received CT-guided microcoil localization before video-assisted thoracoscopic urgery (VATS) resection from June 2016 to December 2019 in our institution. The microcoil distal end was less than 1 cm away from the nodule, and the microcoil proximal end was in the pleural cavity (the pleural cavity group) or chest wall (the chest wall group). The length of microcoil outside the pleura was measured and divided into less than 0.5 cm (group A), 0.5 to 2 cm (group B) and more than 2 cm (group C). Microcoil dislocation was defined as complete retraction into the lung (type I) or complete withdrawal from the lung (type II). The rate of microcoil dislocation between different groups was compared. RESULTS: A total of 519 consecutive patients with 571 PNs were included in this study. According to the position of microcoils proximal end on post-marking CT, there were 95 microcoils in the pleural cavity group and 476 in the chest wall group. The number of microcoils in group A, B, and C were 67, 448 and 56, respectively. VATS showed dislocation of 42 microcoils, of which 30 were type II and 12 were type I. There was no statistical difference in the rate of microcoil dislocation between the pleural cavity group and the chest wall group (6.3% vs 7.6%, x2 = 0.18, p = 0.433). The difference in the rate of microcoil dislocation among group A, B, and C was statistically significant (11.9%, 5.8%, and 14.3% for group A, B, and C, respectively, x2 = 7.60, p = 0.008). In group A, 75% (6/8) of dislocations were type I, while all eight dislocations were type II in group C. CONCLUSIONS: During CT-guided microcoil localization of PNs, placing the microcoil proximal end in the pleura cavity or chest wall had no significant effect on the incidence of microcoil dislocation. The length of microcoil outside the pleura should be 0.5 to 2 cm to reduce the rate of microcoil dislocation. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: CT-guided microcoil localization can effectively guide VATS to resect invisible and impalpable PNs. Microcoil dislocation is the main cause of localization failure. The length of microcoil outside the pleura is significantly correlated with the rate and type of microcoil dislocation. Placing the microcoil proximal end in the pleura cavity or chest wall has no significant effect on the rate of microcoil dislocation.

Ginsenoside Rg_1 protects PC12 cells against Aβ-induced injury through promotion of mitophagy by PINK1/parkin activation / 中国中药杂志

Amyloid β-protein(Aβ) deposition in the brain is directly responsible for neuronal mitochondrial damage of Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients. Mitophagy, which removes damaged mitochondria, is a vital mode of neuron protection. Ginsenoside Rg_1(Rg_1), with neuroprotective effect, has displayed promising potential for AD treatment. However, the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of Rg_1 has not been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rg_(1 )on the autophagy of PC12 cells injured by Aβ_(25-35) to gain insight into the neuroprotective mechanism of Rg_1. The autophagy inducer rapamycin and the autophagy inhi-bitor chloroquine were used to verify the correlation between the neuroprotective effect of Rg_1 and autophagy. The results showed that Rg_1 enhanced the viability and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential of Aβ-injured PC12 cells, while these changes were blocked by chloroquine. Furthermore, Rg_(1 )treatment increased the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein ratio, promoted the depletion of p62 protein, up-regulated the protein levels of PINK1 and parkin, and reduced the amount of autophagy adaptor OPTN, which indicated the enhancement of autophagy. After the silencing of PINK1, a key regulatory site of mitophagy, Rg_1 could not increase the expression of PINK1 and parkin or the amount of NDP52, whereas it can still increase the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein ratio and promote the depletion of OPTN protein which indicated the enhancement of autophagy. Collectively, the results of this study imply that Rg_1 can promote autophagy of PC12 cells injured by Aβ, and may reduce Aβ-induced mitochondrial damage by promoting PINK1-dependent mitophagy, which may be one of the key mechanisms of its neuroprotective effect.

SARS-CoV-2 hijacks neutralizing dimeric IgA for enhanced nasal infection and injury

Robust severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in nasal turbinate (NT) accounts for high viral transmissibility, yet whether neutralizing IgA antibodies can control it remains unknown. Here, we evaluated receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific monomeric B8-mIgA1 and B8-mIgA2, and dimeric B8-dIgA1 and B8-dIgA2 against intranasal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in Syrian hamsters. These antibodies exhibited comparably potent neutralization against authentic virus by competing with human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor for RBD binding. While reducing viruses in lungs, pre-exposure intranasal B8-dIgA1 or B8-dIgA2 led to 81-fold more infectious viruses and severer damage in NT than placebo. Virus-bound B8-dIgA1 and B8-dIgA2 could engage CD209 as an alternative receptor for entry into ACE2-negative cells and allowed viral cell-to-cell transmission. Cryo-EM revealed B8 as a class II neutralizing antibody binding trimeric RBDs in 3-up or 2-up/1-down conformation. Therefore, RBD-specific neutralizing dIgA engages an unexpected action for enhanced SARS-CoV-2 nasal infection and injury in Syrian hamsters.

High frequency ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis performed in the sitting position: A novel apical approach.

BACKGROUND: So far, few approaches have been described to reduce inadvertent injury to structure of the heart and nearby organs in percutaneous pericardiocentesis. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that an in-plane high frequency ultrasound-guided apical approach, performed in the sitting position, would provide additional benefits in terms of feasibility and safety for draining malignant pericardial effusion (MPE). METHODS: The authors selected 53 consecutive patients with moderate or large symptomatic MPE who underwent high frequency ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis. After the procedure, all patients were followed for 90 days with the main purpose of detecting procedure success, procedure-related complications, and recurrent PE. RESULTS: Procedure success rate for pericardiocentesis was 100%. All patients were placed in the sitting position with their left hands extended above the heads. An apical puncture approach was performed in all cases (100%). The mean duration of catheter drainage was 8.1 ± 3.2 days. The mean initial amount of pericardial fluid drained was 956.3 ± 687.5 ml. Overall, six patients (11%) had recurrent PE; 3 (6%) had repeated percutaneous pericardiocentesis. There was no major complication and minor complications occurred in four patients (8%). CONCLUSION: This novel in-plane high frequency US-guided apical approach has several advantages for percutaneous pericardiocentesis of MPE: performed in the sitting position; a benefit for patients with orthopnea; a maximum inserted wide angle to prevent damage to the myocardium; local enlargement of the PE region; high procedure success rate of pericardiocentesis; and excellent clinical outcomes.

CT-Guided Microcoil Localization of Small Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules to Direct Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection without the Aid of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of CT-guided microcoil localization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) for guiding video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2016 and October 2019, 454 consecutive patients with 501 SPNs who received CT-guided microcoil localization before VATS in our institution were enrolled. The diameter of the nodules was 0.93 ± 0.49 cm, and the shortest distance from the nodules to the pleura was 1.41 ± 0.95 cm. The distal end of the microcoil was placed less than 1 cm away from the nodule, and the proximal end was placed outside the visceral pleura. VATS was performed under the guidance of implanted microcoils without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy. RESULTS: All 501 nodules were marked with microcoils. The time required for microcoil localization was 12.8 ± 5.2 minutes. Microcoil localization-related complications occurred in 179 cases (39.4%). None of the complications required treatment. A total of 463 nodules were successfully resected under the guidance of implanted microcoils. VATS revealed 38 patients with dislocated microcoils, of which 28 underwent wedge resection (21 cases under the guidance of the bleeding points of pleural puncture, 7 cases through palpation), 5 underwent direct lobectomy, and the remaining 5 underwent a conversion to thoracotomy. In 4 cases, a portion of the microcoil remained in the lung parenchyma. CONCLUSION: CT-guided microcoil localization of SPNs is safe and reliable. Marking the nodule and pleura simultaneously with microcoils can effectively guide the resection of SPNs using VATS without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy.

Association study of the functional variants of the GLIS3 gene with risk of knee osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) ranks the most common joint disorder and the leading cause of disability. Growing evidence has revealed that OA has a strong genetic background, except for aging and obesity. The aim of this study is to determine the associations between potential functional variants of the GLIS3 and GLIS3-AS1 gene and risk of knee OA among a Chinese population. METHODS: In this case-control study with 810 knee OA cases and 900 healthy controls, seven selected functional SNPs of the GLIS3 and GLIS3-AS1 gene were evaluated. RESULTS: We found minor alleles of rs10116772 (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69-0.92, P = 0.002), rs7045410 (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92, P = 0.005), and rs7032713 (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with decreased risk of knee OA. Results of the dominant and recessive model, stratified analyses using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading presented that the significant associations were not materially changed. Haplotype analysis indicated that haplotype CGT (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46-0.96, P = 0.031) and ATT (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.6-0.95, P = 0.017) were significantly associated with decreased risk of knee OA. Further, they were also significantly associated with lower expression level of GLIS3, as well as higher expression level of GLIS3-AS1 in the articular cartilage specimens. Genotype-tissue expression (GTEX) data also validated that minor alleles of rs7045410 and rs7032713 were significantly associated with higher expression level of GLIS3-AS1 in thyroid and pituitary tissues (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings revealed the essential role of genetic variants of the GLIS3 and GLIS3-AS1 gene in the occurrence of knee OA together. Key Point • Functional variants of the GLIS3 and GLIS3-AS1 gene were significantly associated with decreased risk of knee OA.

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions: comparison between the cutting needle and aspiration needle.

OBJECTIVES: To compare CT-guided transthoracic cutting needle biopsy (TCNB) with transthoracic aspiration needle biopsy (TANB) for pulmonary lesions with respect to the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate. METHODS: Of the 859 cases that underwent consecutive CT-guided biopsy of pulmonary lesions, 713 cases confirmed by surgical pathology or clinical follow-up were enrolled. Of these, the first consecutive 275 cases underwent TANB, and the remaining 438 received TCNB. The final diagnosis determined the accuracy of biopsy. Based on the post-biopsy CT and clinical medical records, the presence or absence of biopsy-related complications was determined. The χ2 test was used to compare the differences between TCNB and TANB in terms of diagnostic accuracy and complication rate. RESULTS: Among the 713 biopsy lesions, the final diagnosis was malignant in 411 cases and benign in 302 cases. As compared to TANB, the diagnostic accuracy of TCNB (98.9% vs 93.8%, χ2 = 14.35, p < 0.01), sensitivity to malignant lesions (97.8% vs 90.6%, χ2 = 10.58, p < 0.01), negative predictive value (97.6% vs 84.8%, χ2 = 19.03, p < 0.01), and specific diagnostic rate for benign lesions (73.4% vs 57.9%, χ2 = 7.29, p < 0.01) were improved. On the other hand, a statistical difference was detected between TCNB and TANB with respect to the incidence of pneumothorax (20.6% vs 13.1%, χ2 = 6.46, p = 0.01), hemorrhage (32.2% vs 13.1%, χ2 = 33.03, p < 0.01), and hemoptysis (8.2% vs 3.3%, χ2 = 6.87, p < 0.01). One patient died just several minutes after TCNB due to severe hemorrhage with hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to TANB, CT-guided TCNB improves the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary lesions, but complication rate increases significantly. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: In general, TCNB should be recommended, especially for highly suspicious benign lesions. For patients with small lesions adjacent to vessels or vessels within the lesion, TANB should be considered.

Mechanism and experimental verification of Dachengqi Decoction in treatment of sepsis based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to predict the material basis and mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction in the treatment of sepsis based on network pharmacology. The chemical constituents and targets of Dachengqi Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP, UniPot and DrugBank and the targets for the treatment of sepsis from OMIM and GeneCards. The potential targets of Dachengqi Decoction for the treatment of sepsis were screened by OmicShare. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were used to construct the Chinese medicinal-active component-target-disease, active component-key target-key pathway, and protein-protein interaction(PPT) networks. The gene ontology(GO) term enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed by DAVID(P<0.05). Finally, the animal experiment was conducted to verify some targets and pathways. A total of 40 active components and 157 targets of the Dachengqi Decoction, 2 407 targets for the treatment of sepsis, and 91 common targets of the prescription and the disease were also obtained. The key targets were prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2), prostaglandin G/H synthase 1(PTGS1), protein kinase cAMP-dependent catalytic-α(PRKACA), coagulation factor 2 receptor(F2 R), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic gamma subunit(PIK3 CG), dipeptidyl peptidase 4(DPP4), etc. A total of 533 terms and 125 pathways were obtained for the 91 targets. The main terms were the response to drug, negative regulation of apoptotic process, positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process and lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway, and the pathways included pathways in cancer, hepatitis B, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B(PI3 K/Akt) signaling pathway. The animal experiment confirmed that Dachengqi Decoction can down-regulate inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)(P<0.01). It could also reduce the wet/dry weight ratio of lung tissue, the level of myeloperoxidase(MPO) and the phosphorylation of PI3 K and Akt(P<0.01). These results indicated that Dchengqi Decoction could act on inflammation-related targets and improve sepsis by inhibiting PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway. The animal experiment supported the predictions of network pharmacology. Dachengqi Decoction intervenes sepsis via multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. The result lays a foundation for further research on the mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction in the treatment of sepsis.

CT-Guided Microcoil Localization of Small Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules to Direct Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection without the Aid of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy

Objective@#To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of CT-guided microcoil localization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) for guiding video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). @*Materials and Methods@#Between June 2016 and October 2019, 454 consecutive patients with 501 SPNs who received CTguided microcoil localization before VATS in our institution were enrolled. The diameter of the nodules was 0.93 ± 0.49 cm, and the shortest distance from the nodules to the pleura was 1.41 ± 0.95 cm. The distal end of the microcoil was placed less than 1 cm away from the nodule, and the proximal end was placed outside the visceral pleura. VATS was performed under the guidance of implanted microcoils without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy. @*Results@#All 501 nodules were marked with microcoils. The time required for microcoil localization was 12.8 ± 5.2 minutes. Microcoil localization-related complications occurred in 179 cases (39.4%). None of the complications required treatment. A total of 463 nodules were successfully resected under the guidance of implanted microcoils. VATS revealed 38 patients with dislocated microcoils, of which 28 underwent wedge resection (21 cases under the guidance of the bleeding points of pleural puncture, 7 cases through palpation), 5 underwent direct lobectomy, and the remaining 5 underwent a conversion to thoracotomy. In 4 cases, a portion of the microcoil remained in the lung parenchyma. @*Conclusion@#CT-guided microcoil localization of SPNs is safe and reliable. Marking the nodule and pleura simultaneously with microcoils can effectively guide the resection of SPNs using VATS without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy.

CT-Guided Microcoil Localization of Small Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules to Direct Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection without the Aid of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy

Objective@#To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of CT-guided microcoil localization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) for guiding video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). @*Materials and Methods@#Between June 2016 and October 2019, 454 consecutive patients with 501 SPNs who received CTguided microcoil localization before VATS in our institution were enrolled. The diameter of the nodules was 0.93 ± 0.49 cm, and the shortest distance from the nodules to the pleura was 1.41 ± 0.95 cm. The distal end of the microcoil was placed less than 1 cm away from the nodule, and the proximal end was placed outside the visceral pleura. VATS was performed under the guidance of implanted microcoils without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy. @*Results@#All 501 nodules were marked with microcoils. The time required for microcoil localization was 12.8 ± 5.2 minutes. Microcoil localization-related complications occurred in 179 cases (39.4%). None of the complications required treatment. A total of 463 nodules were successfully resected under the guidance of implanted microcoils. VATS revealed 38 patients with dislocated microcoils, of which 28 underwent wedge resection (21 cases under the guidance of the bleeding points of pleural puncture, 7 cases through palpation), 5 underwent direct lobectomy, and the remaining 5 underwent a conversion to thoracotomy. In 4 cases, a portion of the microcoil remained in the lung parenchyma. @*Conclusion@#CT-guided microcoil localization of SPNs is safe and reliable. Marking the nodule and pleura simultaneously with microcoils can effectively guide the resection of SPNs using VATS without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy.

Application effect of 5A nursing mode based on WeChat platform in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the application effect of 5A nursing model based on WeChat platform in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A total of 82 patients with COPD were enrolled in our hospital from February 2018 to March 2019. According to the order of establishment, the patients were divided into study group and control group, with 41 cases in each group. The control group received routine care, and the study group adopted a 5A care model based on the WeChat platform on the basis of the control group. Pulmonary function before and after intervention in the two groups [1 second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC)], mood disorder [Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Depression Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS)], self-efficacy [General Self-Efficient Energy Meter (GSES)] supplements the Chinese name of this scale), quality of life [St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)] supplements the Chinese name of this scale) and nursing job satisfaction.Results:The FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC of the study group were (0.98±0.07)L, (1.59±0.22)L, (61.64±1.88)%, and the control group was (0.99±0.08)L, (1.61±0.20). L, (61.49±2.05)%; after 3 months of intervention, the study group was (1.45±0.18)L, (2.01±0.24)L, (72.14±1.49)%, and the control group was (1.21±0.12)L, (1.83±0.21) L, (66.12±1.75)%, there was no significant difference between the two groups before the intervention of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ( t value was 0.602, 0.431, 0.345, P>0.05), intervention 3 The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t value was 7.104, 3.614, 16.771, P<0.05). The SAS and SDS scores of the study group were 59.17±3.25 and 61.02±4.06; and 58.96±3.72, 60.75±3.84 in the control group; after 3 months of intervention, the study group scored 42.05±3.10, 44.26±3.25, and the control group scored 48.59±3.55, 49.97±3.41. There was no significant difference in the scores of SAS and SDS between the two groups before intervention ( t value was 0.272, 0.309, P>0.05). After 3 months of intervention, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t value was 8.885, 7.762, P<0.01); the GSES score of the study group was 22.19±3.11 before the intervention, and the control group scored 22.58±2.97. After 3 months of intervention, the study group scored 33.65±2.14. The scores of the group were 28.71±2.03. There was no significant difference in the GSES scores between the two groups before intervention ( t value was 0.581, P>0.05). After 3 months of intervention, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t value was 10.724, P<0.01). Conclusion:The 5A nursing model based on WeChat platform can significantly improve lung function, reduce mood disorder, enhance self-efficacy, improve quality of life, and patients showed high satisfaction with nursing work.

Constituents from solid-cultured Antrodia camphorata.

Antrodia camphorata is a rare and precious traditional food and medicine for improving health-related conditions in Taiwan. The phytochemical research of the mushroom led to the isolation of a new naphthalenecarboxaldehyde, named as 1-Naphthalenecarboxaldehyde,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5,8a-trimethyl (1). Meanwhile, seven other known compounds of nerolidol (2), cadinol (3), herbarulide (4), 3ß-Hydroxy-5a,8a-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene (5), ergosta-7,22-diene-3,6-dione (6) 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (7) and ß-sitosterol (8) were also obtained from A. camphorata for the first time except compound (8). The new compound was elucidated by 2D NMR techniques (COSY, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY) and HRMS while those known compounds deduced by comparing 1H NMR and 13C NMR data with other literatures. Then, the hepG2 cell toxicity screening was conducted and the results demonstrated that only compound 7 and 8 exhibited significant toxicity to hepG2 cell at the concentration of 50 µg/mL.

[Application value of frozen-thawed mouse round spermatids in in vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of the frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse in in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: Haploid spermatids of the mouse obtained in vitro were divided into a frozen-thawed and a fresh group and oocytes were collected from 6－8 weeks old female mice. After diamidino-phenyl-indole (DAPI) staining, the oocytes were subjected to intracytoplasmic round spermatid injection (ROSI), 259 in the frozen-thawed and 238 in the fresh group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the capacities of fertilization and embryonic development. RESULTS: The survival rate of the frozen-thawed haploid spermatids was (75.9 ± 2.3) %. No statistically significant differences were observed between the frozen-thawed and fresh groups after ROSI in the rates of fertilization (51.9 vs 55.7%, P >0.05), 2-cell embryos (51.0 vs 62.2%, P >0.05), 4－8-cell embryos (41.8 vs 42.9%, P >0.05), or morula-blastocysts (12.2 vs 21.4%, P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse are similar to fresh ones in their capacities of fertilization and embryonic development.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and its clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb,so as to provide references for ligament repair.Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone-ligament-the first metacarpal bone,of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament,respectively.The ligaments were tested on biomechanical testing machine,and their length,width,thickness,the maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated.Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament,their maximum load was (213.5 ±72.4) and (168.7 ±35.2) N,their elastic modulus was (17.2 ±6.7) and (9.3 ±2.5) MPa,their elongation rate was (116.2 ± 21.3) ％ and (92.7 ± 22.4) ％,respectively.The maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than those of the anterior oblique ligament.Conclusions For the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb,the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness,which plays an important role in maintaining stability of the joint.The anterior obligue ligament is easy to be damaged due to its smaller stiffness and poor toughness.The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints,and materials whose elastic modulus and elongation rate are similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and its clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb,so as to provide references for ligament repair.Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone-ligament-the first metacarpal bone,of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament,respectively.The ligaments were tested on biomechanical testing machine,and their length,width,thickness,the maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated.Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament,their maximum load was (213.5 ±72.4) and (168.7 ±35.2) N,their elastic modulus was (17.2 ±6.7) and (9.3 ±2.5) MPa,their elongation rate was (116.2 ± 21.3) ％ and (92.7 ± 22.4) ％,respectively.The maximum load,elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than those of the anterior oblique ligament.Conclusions For the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb,the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness,which plays an important role in maintaining stability of the joint.The anterior obligue ligament is easy to be damaged due to its smaller stiffness and poor toughness.The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints,and materials whose elastic modulus and elongation rate are similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Analysis on anatomy and biomechanics of ligaments in carpometacarpal joints of the thumb and clinical significance / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament in carpometacarpal (CPC) joints of the thumb, so as to provide references for ligament repair. Methods Forty fresh hand specimens of adult male cadavers were dissected to make specimen of trapezium bone- ligament-the first metacarpal bone, of which 20 cases retained the dorsal radial ligament and 20 cases retained the anterior oblique ligament, respectively. The ligaments were tested on the biomechanical testing machine, and their length, width, thickness, the maximum load, elastic modulus and elongation rate were measured and calculated. Results For the dorsal radial ligament and anterior oblique ligament, their maximum load was (213.5±72.4) and (168.7±35.2) N, their elastic modulus was (17.2±6.7) and (9.3±2.5) N/mm2, their elongation rate was (116.2±21.3)% and (92.7±22.4)%, respectively. The maximum load, elastic modulus and elongation of the dorsal radial ligament were larger than that of the anterior oblique ligament. Conclusions In the capsular ligament in CPC joints of the thumb, the dorsal radial ligament has a higher stiffness and stronger toughness, which plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the joint. The stiffness of the anterior oblique ligament is smaller, the toughness is poor, which is easy to be damaged. The anterior oblique ligament is suggested to be reconstructed firstly to treat arthritis of CMC joints, and material whose elastic modulus and elongation rate is similar with the dorsal radial ligament should be selected.

Application value of frozen-thawed mouse round spermatids in in vitro fertilization / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the application value of the frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse in in vitro fertilization (IVF).@*METHODS@#Haploid spermatids of the mouse obtained in vitro were divided into a frozen-thawed and a fresh group and oocytes were collected from 6－8 weeks old female mice. After diamidino-phenyl-indole (DAPI) staining, the oocytes were subjected to intracytoplasmic round spermatid injection (ROSI), 259 in the frozen-thawed and 238 in the fresh group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the capacities of fertilization and embryonic development.@*RESULTS@#The survival rate of the frozen-thawed haploid spermatids was (75.9 ± 2.3) %. No statistically significant differences were observed between the frozen-thawed and fresh groups after ROSI in the rates of fertilization (51.9 vs 55.7%, P >0.05), 2-cell embryos (51.0 vs 62.2%, P >0.05), 4－8-cell embryos (41.8 vs 42.9%, P >0.05), or morula-blastocysts (12.2 vs 21.4%, P >0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse are similar to fresh ones in their capacities of fertilization and embryonic development.