Advances in the study of the correlation between urolithiasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中华泌尿外科杂志

In recent years, researchers have found that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) often have urolithiasis, and the incidence of urolithiasis increases gradually with the severity of NAFLD. Meanwhile, the detection rate of NAFLD was higher in patients with urolithiasis than in normal controls. In this paper, we reviewed the domestic and international studies on the correlation between urolithiasis and NAFLD and described the related pathogenesis, such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, abnormal lipid metabolism and impaired glyoxalate detoxification. Meanwhile, this paper proposed preventive measures to reduce the risk of development and recurrence of NAFLD-associated urolithiasis by addressing the common risk factors of both diseases, including metabolism-related diseases, lifestyle and diet.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn of diabetic neuropathic pain rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Outbreak analysis with a logistic growth model shows COVID-19 suppression dynamics in China

China reported a major outbreak of a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, from mid-January till mid-March 2020. The number of cases outside China is now growing fast, while in mainland China the virus outbreak is largely under control. We review the epidemic virus growth and decline curves in China using a phenomenological logistic growth model to summarize the outbreak dynamics using three parameters that characterize the epidemics timing, rate and peak. During the initial phase, the number of virus cases doubled every 2.7 (range 2.2 - 4.4) days. The rate of increase in the number of reported cases peaked approximately 10 days after suppression measures were started on 23-25 January 2020. The peak in the number of reported sick cases occurred on average 18 days after the start of measures. From the time of starting measures till the peak, the number of cases increased by a factor 39 in the province Hubei, and by a factor 9.5 for all of China (range: 6.2-20.4 in the other provinces). Complete suppression took up to 2 months (range: 23-57d.), during which period severe restrictions, social distancing measures, testing and isolation of cases were in place. The suppression of the disease in China has been successful, demonstrating that suppression is a viable strategy to contain SARS-CoV2.

Effect of Chaiqinchengqi decoction on inositol requiring enzyme 1α in alveolar macrophages of dogs with acute necrotising pancreatitis induced by sodium taurocholate.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chaiqinchengqi decoction (CQCQD) on inositol requiring enzyme lα (IRElα) in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of the dog model of acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP) induced by sodium taurocholate. METHODS: Fifteen beagle dogs were randomised into a control group, ANP group and CQCQD group (n = 5 per group). ANP was induced by a retrograde duct injection of 50 mg/kg of 5% sodium taurocholate. The dogs in the control group received injections of the same volume of saline as the sodium taurocholate. After the models were induced, the dogs in the CQCQD group were administered 10 mL/kg CQCQD every 2 h for 6 h. Two hours after the last administration of either CQCQD or saline, they were sacrificed by anaesthesia. AMs were collected to determine the IRElα and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) mRNA and protein expression, and pancreatic tissues were collected for histopathology analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the ANP group, the mRNA and protein expression of IREl a and the protein expression of IL-1ß of AMs in the CQCQD group were significantly down-regulated, and the pancreatic histopathology score of the CQCQD group also was lower. There was no significant difference in the mRNA expression of IL-1ß of AMs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The CQCQD-induced down-regulation of the IL-1ß protein expression may involve the down-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression of IRElα in AMs.

Research of radiotherapy combined with cisplatin and 5-lfuorouraci concurrent chemoradiotherapy on locally advanced esophageal carcinoma / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To study the efficacy of radiotherapy combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouraci concurrent chemoradiotherapy on locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. Methods 80 cases with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma collected in our hospital from September 2002 to December 2011 were divided into combination group and radiotherapy group, each had 40 cases. Patients of combination group were given radiotherapy combined with DDP and 5-FU, while radiotherapy group were only adopted radiation therapy. The efifcacy and the safety of the therapy methods were evaluated. Results The treatment effect of the chemoradiotherapy on locally advanced esophageal carcinoma was obvious. The efifcacy of combination group was 90.0%, and radiotherapy was only 72.5%, the difference was signiifcant(P<0.01). The survival rate of combination group was 33%, higher than 24.4%of radiotherapy group. The adverse reactions of combination group were higher than radiotherapy group, but most of which were light, and could be eliminated after active treatment. Conclusion The radiotherapy combined with DDP and 5-FU can enhance the efifcacy and survival rate of patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma, and also cause an increase in adverse reactions, which can be controlled effectively.

Fast formation of biomimetic apatite coatings on pure porous titanium implant's surface / 生物医学工程学杂志

The aim of this study was to elaborate a dense, strong and thin calcium-phosphate coating on commercial porous pure titanium implant surface in the light of a fast biomimetic procedure. After being polished, sandblasted, cleaned and treated with the mixture of HF and HNO3, the titanium plates were divided into two groups, namely group A and group B. The specimens of group A were free from any treatment. The specimens of group B were treated with the mixture of 48% H2SO4 and 18% HCl. All specimens soaked in SBF-A solution for 1d. Then the specimens were immersed in the SBF-B solution for 2 d. A thin calcium-phosphate coating was deposited on all the specimens of the two groups, the surface consisted of well-formed crystals, which were proved to be the mixture of hydroxycarbonated apatite (HCA) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP); the coating's Ca/P rate was 1.51. A thin carbonated calcium-phosphate coating was deposited on porous pure titanium by the use of the fast biomimetic procedure.

High Dosage Levofloxacin Injection to Treat Elderly Respiratory Tract Infection:A Clinical Observation / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in the treatment of respiratory tract infection in elderly patients. METHODS An open clinical trial was conducted for the treatment of respiratory tract infection in elderly patients.The dosage of the drug was 0.5g once daily injection,the duration of treatment was 7-14 days. RESULTS The total cure rate,the total response rate and the bacterial clearance rate were 56.7%,83.3%,and 82.1%,respectively. CONCLUSIONS Levofloxacin is a drug both effective and safe for respiratory tract infection in elderly patients.The dosage of the drug(0.5g/day) can reach higher clinical effective rate,best tolerance and compliancy.