Assessing ecological status using phytoplankton functional groups in three urban rivers in Hainan Island, China.

The urban rivers, including Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan in Haikou City, Hainan Island, are vital water sources for agricultural production and support industrial and domestic activities. Despite the rivers experiencing anthropogenic impacts, limited studies have assessed their water quality. Accordingly, this study assessed the phytoplankton community structure, utilized the river phytoplankton assemblage index (Qr index) to evaluate the ecological status, and compared its performance with the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI). Sample collection and microscopy analysis was conducted seasonally in 2019. Two hundred ninety-eight phytoplankton species belonging to 8 phyla were identified, predominated by Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Cyanophyta. The phytoplankton biomass ranged from 0.04 to 34.98 mg L-1, with averages of 3.06 ± 0.71, 5.16 ± 1.92, and 2.70 ± 0.76 mg L-1 in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan, respectively. The phytoplankton biomass varied seasonally, recording the highest and lowest values in summer and autumn, respectively. The phytoplankton species were classified into 26 functional groups, which exhibited spatial and seasonal differences in their biomass and composition. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that NH3-N, TP, CODMn, Chl-a, salinity, and temperature were the main environmental factors influencing phytoplankton functional groups. The average Qr index values in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan were 3.39 ± 0.61, 3.44 ± 0.51, and 3.22 ± 0.67, and all the rivers were rated "good" in status. Seasonally, the Qr index and TLI revealed that the rivers' ecological condition was better in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. Generally, the Qr index performed better, indicating that parameters such as NH3-N, CODMn, TP, and Chl-a decreased with improving ecological conditions from "poor" to "excellent" status. In addition, the Qr index exhibited a significant negative relationship with TLI, suggesting that low Qr index values may indicate increased eutrophication or deteriorated water quality. Thus, the ecological condition of the urban rivers could be adequately assessed using the Qr index to guide their water quality monitoring and management.

BMAL1-TTK-H2Bub1 loop deficiency contributes to impaired BM-MSC-mediated bone formation in senile osteoporosis.

During the aging process, the reduced osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) results in decreased bone formation, which contributes to senile osteoporosis. Previous studies have confirmed that interrupted circadian rhythm plays an indispensable role in age-related disease. However, the mechanism underlying the impaired osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs during aging and its relationship with interrupted circadian rhythm remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed that the circadian rhythm was interrupted in aging mouse skeletal systems. The level of the core rhythm component BMAL1 but not that of CLOCK in the osteoblast lineage was decreased in senile osteoporotic specimens from both human and mouse. BMAL1 targeted TTK as a circadian-controlled gene to phosphorylate MDM2 and regulate H2Bub1 level, while H2Bub1 in turn regulated the expression of BMAL1. The osteogenic capacity of BM-MSCs was maintained by a positive loop formed by BMAL1-TTK-MDM2-H2Bub1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that using bone-targeting recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 (rAAV9) to enhance Bmal1 or Ttk might have a therapeutic effect on senile osteoporosis and delays bone repair in aging mice. In summary, our study indicated that targeting the BMAL1-TTK-MDM2-H2Bub1 axis via bone-targeting rAAV9 might be a promising strategy for the treatment of senile osteoporosis.

Variations in the Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer Occurrence and Bone Metastasis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. Although advancements in the early diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer have occurred in recent years, the prognosis of breast cancer bone metastasis remains poor and this type of cancer is rarely cured. The gut microbiota is indispensable for internal homeostasis and regulates various biological processes. Understanding the gut microbiota profiles in normal controls (NCs), breast cancer patients with no metastasis (BNs), and breast cancer patients with bone metastasis (BMs) may shed light on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for breast cancer and bone metastasis. We comprehensively analyzed the gut microbiota from NCs, BNs, and BMs and found that the community diversity decreased in the order of NCs, BNs, and BMs. Streptococcus, Campylobacter and Moraxellaceae showed higher abundances in BNs and BMs than in NCs. The lack of Megamonas and Akkermansia in the BM compared with those in the NC and BN groups was considered related to bone metastasis. Additionally, based on the distinct gut microbiota profiles, we predicted that lipid transportation and metabolism, as well as folate biosynthesis, participate in breast cancer occurrence and that steroid hormone biosynthesis influences bone metastasis. Our study demonstrated that variations in gut microbiota are associated with breast cancer occurrence and bone metastasis, providing attractive targets to develop therapeutic and diagnostic methods.

Construction and Validation of A Prediction Model for Pulmonary Nodule Nature Based on Clinicopathological Features,Imaging and Serum Biomarkers / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective The study aimed to construct and validate a predictive model for pulmonary nodules(PN)nature based on clinicopa-thological features,imaging,and serum biomarkers,so as to provide scientificdecision-making for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.Methods A retrospective was performed on 816 PN patients with definited pathological diagnosis who received surgical resection analysisor lung biopsy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology of Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2019 to February 2023.Among them,113 cases that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded,and the remaining 703 cases were included in the study.The study based on the clinicopathologic features(age,gender,smoking history,smoking cessation history and family history of cancer),chest imaging(maximum diameter of nodule,location of lesion,clear border,Lobulation,spiculation,vascular convergence sign,vacuole,calcification,air bronchial sign,emphysema,nodule type and pleural indentation,nodule number)and serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cytokeratin 19 fragment(CYFRA21-1),squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCCA)in patients with PN.These cases were randomly divided into a modeling group(n=552,237 benign,315 malignant)and a validation group(n=151,85 benign,66 malignant).First,univariate analysis was performed to screen for statistically significant predictors of nodules nature.Then,multivariate regression analysis was performed to screen for independent predictors of nodules nature.Finally,the prediction model of PN nature was constructed by logistic regression analysis.Subsequently,the validation group data were entered into the proposed model and Mayo clinic(Mayo)model,veterans affairs(VA)model,Brock University(Brock)model,Peking University(PKU)model and Guangzhou Medical University(GZMU)model,respectively.PN malignancy probability was calculated.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted.The diagnostic efficiency of each model was compared according to the area under the curve(AUC).Results There were statistically significant variables including age,family history of cancer,maximum nodule diameter,nodule type,upper lobe of lung,calcification,vascular convergence sign,lobulation,clear border,spiculation,and serum CEA,SCCA,CYFRA21-1 using univariate analysis.Multiple regression analysis showed that age,CEA,clear border,CYFRA21-1,SCCA,upper lobe of lung,maximum nodule diameter,family history of cancer,spiculation and nodule type were independent predictors of PN nature.The prediction model equation constructed in this study is as follows:f(x)= ex/(1+ex),X=(-6.318 8+0.020 8×Age+0.527 4×CEA-0.928 4×clear border+0.294 6×Cyfra21-1+0.294×maximum nodule diameter+1.220 1×family history of cancer +0.573 2×upper lobe of lung +0.064 8×SCCA +1.461 5×Spiculation +1.497 6×nodule type).The AUC(0.799 vs 0.659,0.650)of the proposed model was significantly higher compared with Mayo model and VA model,and there were statistically significant differences(Z=3.029,2.638,P=0.003,0.008).However,compared with Brock model,PKU model and GZMU model,the differences of AUC(0.799 vs 0.762,0.773,0.769)were not statistically significant(Z=1.063,0.686,0.757,P=0.288,0.493,0.449).Conclusion The prediction model for PN nature established in this study is accurate and reliable,which can help clinics with early diagnosis and early intervention,and this prediction model deserves to be popularized.

Efficacy and safety of salvage radiotherapy for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy: a Meta-analysis / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy and adverse events of salvage radiotherapy and other treatments for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy in this Meta-analysis.Methods:Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang data were searched from the inception to April 2020 to collect the clinical trials which comparatively analyzed the efficacy and safety between radiotherapy and other treatments for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. RR and 95% CI were used to describe the differences among different groups. Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 clinical trials involving 842 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the overall survival in the salvage radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that in the salvage esophagectomy group ( RR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.27-0.61, P<0.001), whereas significantly higher than that in the chemotherapy group ( RR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.43-5.95, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the treatment-related mortality between the salvage radiotherapy and salvage esophagectomy groups ( RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.14-1.98, P=0.350), but the incidence was significantly higher in the salvage esophagectomy group (1.7%-11.4% vs. 1.9%-2.8%). Conclusion:Salvage radiotherapy is an effective treatment for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy, which can be regarded as one choice for clinical patients.

The effects of diagnostic and treatment operation of the urinary diseases on serum prostate specific antigen levels / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of diagnostic and treatment manipulation of the urinary diseases on serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) levels .Methods 80 male patients were recruited from urology surgery department of Shenzhen Tranditional Chinese Medicine (TCM ) Hospital ,Which included 13 cases with digital rectal examination (DRE) ,10 cases with catheterization , 12 cases with rigid cystoscopy ,17 cases with prostate biopsy ,28 cases with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) .Blood samples of 80 patients were collected before diagnostic and treatment manipulation of the urinary diseases and 24 h ,3 d ,7 d ,14 d af‐ter that ,respectively .Then ,serum total prostate antigen(TPSA) and free prostate antigen (FPSA) was measured .Results There was no effects of DRE on serum TPSA and FPSA levels(P>0 .05) .On the contrary ,serum TPSA and FPSA levels increased sig‐nificantly in patients with catheterization and cystoscopy(P<0 .05) ,and the duration was longer(7-14 d) .Serum TPSA and FPSA levels increased significantly(P<0 .05)in patients with TURP and biopsy at the 24th hour after manipulation and it began to de‐crease on the third day .Also ,the serum TPSA and FPSA levels decreased to baseline after 14 days .Conclusion There′re no effects of DRE on serum TPSA and FPSA levels .However ,serum TPSA and FPSA levels increase differently in patients with catheteriza‐tion ,cystoscopy ,biopsy and TURP ,but the durations were different ,too .

Efficacy of hooking therapy and safflower injection on lumbar disc herniation and the impact on IL-6 and NO in the patients / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy and the effect mechanism of hooking therapy and safflower injection in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients of LDH were randomized into an observation group and a control group at ratio of 1 to 1, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, safflower injection was applied to three points of lumbar region, once a day. Seven treatments made one session, and totally 2 sessions were required. In the observation group, under local anesthesia, the big hook needle was used to stimulate the three points of lumbar region first, followed by the safflower injection, once every 6 to 7 days. If the efficacy was not satisfactory enough, the second treatment was given. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (M-JOA) scores were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. The levels of peripheral interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VAS and M-JOA scores were all improved apparently after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (both P < 0.01). The improvements in the observation group were much more obvious than those in the control group (both P < 0.01). In the observation group, the curative and remarkably effective rate was 76.7% (23/30) and the total effective rate was 96.7% (29/ 30), better than 43.3% (13/30) and 70.0% (21/30) in the control group separately (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-6 and NO were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups; (both P < 0.01). The above indices were changed more obviously in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of hooking therapy and safflower injection apparently relieves pain and clinical symptoms of LDH. The effect mechanism is relevant with reducing the levels of IL-6 and NO in the peripheral blood.</p>

Study on Preparation Technique and Quality Standard for New Shengfa Pills / 中国药师

Objective:To study the preparation technique and quality standard for new Shengfa pills. Methods: The best water extraction process of the medicinal herbs was optimized by orthogonal test using stilbene glucoside content and dry extract percent as the indices. The content of stilbene glucoside was determined by HPLC, and Hyssop and Chinese angelica in the preparation were identified by TLC. Results:The optimized preparation conditions were as follows:12-fold water was used in the 3-time extraction with 1 h for each time. The spots in TLC were clear without interference from the negative control. Conclusion:The preparation process is reasona-ble and feasible in techniques with controllable quality.

Association among the vascular inner diameter, artery flow velocity and flow of internal arteriovenous fistula for dialysis / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of vascular inner diameter and artery flow velocity on the flow of internal arteriovenous fistula. Methods Sixty-two patients received the operation of internal fistula were enrolled. According to the inner diameter (Group A: d ≤ 1.5 mm, Group B: 1.5 mm 3.0 mm), the patients were divided into four groups in terms of artery flow velocity (Group a: v ≤ 20 cm/s, Group b:20 cm/s 100 cm/s), the differences of fistula and dialysis flow for two months were analyzed among various groups. Results Compared with Group B/b, patients in Group A/a had higher risk of operation failure, with lowered inner fistula flow and dialysis flow. In terms of inner venous diameter , there were significant differences between Group B and C. Conclusions It is not recommended to carry out the inner vascular fistula operation. Followed with the thickening and increasing of inner artery diameter and artery flow , the inner fistula flow and the dialysis flow increase. The inner venous diameter has no significant impact on the inner fistula flow.

Effect of Serum from Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients on Expression of ICAM-1 in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / 天津医药

Objective: To study the effect of serum from maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) patients on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) cultured in vitro, and the mechanism of endothelial cells dysfunction caused by serum from MHD patients thereof. Methods: HUVEC were incubated for 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h in RPMI 1640 culture media containing 10 % fetal cattle serum(FCS )(group A), 10% normal human serum (group B) and 10% MHD patient serum (group C) respectively. The immunocytochemical method was used to determine the expression of ICAM-1. Results: There were significant differences in the expression of ICAM-1 in HUVEC among stimulation groups with different serums(P < 0.05). Compared with groups A and B, the expression of ICAM-1 was significantly increased in HUVEC of group C. There was significant difference in the expression of ICAM-1 at the different stimulation times(P < 0.05). There was significant interaction between the expression of ICAM-1 in HUVEC and stimulation groups with different serum and the stimulation times(P < 0.05). Conclusion: The serum from MHD patients with chronic renal failure can promote the expression of ICAM-1 in HUVEC cultured in vitro, thus causing the dysfunction of endothelial cell.

Clinical Evaluation of BNP in Heart Failure Patients / 中国现代医生

Objective To determine the serum level of B-natriuretic peptide and evaluate the diagnostic value of BNP in patients with de-compensated heart failure. Methods BNP levels were obtined by a rapid immunoflorescence assay in 54 patients with dyspnea including car-diogenic group(36 patients)and lung diseases(18 patients). Left ventricular injection fraction(LVEF) of all patients were measured by echocar-diogram. Results There was a great difference of BNP between cardiogenic dyspnea group[(825.2 ± 92.3ng/L] and lung dyspnea group [(52.8 ± 9.1)ng/L]. Conclusion Rapid testing BNP should be of help to differentiate pulmonary dyspnea from cardiac etologies.

Detection of hepatitis B virus YMDD variants using a matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometric analysis / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the value of detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) YMDD variants by matrix-assisted laser de-sorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Methods The assay is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifica-tion and mass measurement of oligonucleotides containing sites of mutation of the YMDD motif. Result The MALDI-TOF MS-based genoty-ping assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect as few as 100 copies of HBV genome per milliliter of serum, and this method had superior spe-cificity for determining mixtures of wild-type and variant viruses. When sera of 40 patients were analyzed, the MALDI-TOF MS-based assay correctly identified known viral variants and additional viral quasi-species not detected by previous methods, as well as their'relative abun-dance. Conclusion The sensitivity, specificity and amenability to high-throughput analysis make MALDI-TOF MS-based assay suitable for mass screening of HBV infected patients who are receiving lamivudine.

The effects of "a" determinant variants in chronic hepatitis B virus patients on the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HBs / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of "a determinant variants in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients on the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) and anti-HBs antibodies (HBsAb). Methods Eight hundred sixty-six chronic hepatitis B patients were enrolled, which HBs Ag carriage was beyond a 6 month period.77 patients(8.9%)concomitantly carried both HBs Ag and anti-HBs antibodies,789 patients(91.1%)were only HBs Ag positive. Selection criteria for patients with both HBs Ag and anti-HBs were mainly focused on anti-HBs titers at least three times above the analytical threshold of the technique(10 U/L)on at least three consecutive visits.14 patients were selected from77 patients, who presented both markers(group Ⅰ),and 12 patients from another 789 patients who positive for HBs Ag only(group Ⅱ)were randomly selected as controls. The HBs Ag-encoding gene was amplified and cloned, and at least 15clones per patient were sequenced and analyzed. Results The number of residue changes within the S protein group Ⅰ was 2.7 times more frequently than that in group Ⅱ patients, and "a" determinant of the major hydrophilic region(MHR)occurred mostly. Ten patients (71%)from group Ⅰ and three patients(25%)from group Ⅱ presented at least two residue changes in the MHR. The most frequent changes in group Ⅰ patients were located at positions s145,s129,s126,s144, and s123 as described for immune escape variants. Conclusions In CHB patients, the coexistence of HBsAg and HBsAb is associated with an increase of "a" determinant variability, suggesting a selection of HBV immune escape mutants during chronic carriage. The consequences of this selection process play an important role in vaccine efficacy, diagnosis and clinical therapy.

Expression and Significance of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Cervical,Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers / 中国医师杂志

Objective To study cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels in cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers as well as their originated normal tissues. Methods Semiquantitative immunofluorescent assay (IFA) was used to detect COX-2 expression levels in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (n=12),endometrial adenocarcinoma (n=13),and ovarian serous adenocarcinoma (n=9). COX-2 expression levels in normal cervical (n=14),endometrial (n=15),and ovarian (n=13) tissues were simultaneously detected as control. Results Normal cervical tissues expressed COX-2 more frequently than cervical cancers (50% vs 23%), but the difference was not signicant (P=0.247). The positive rate of COX-2 expression was significantly higher in endometrial adenocarcinomas (69%) than that in normal endometrium (7%) (P

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Interleukin-6 of Amniotic Fluid in Patients with Infection of Amniotic Cavity / 中国医师杂志

Objective To assess the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) of amniotic fluid (AF) in predicting infection of amniotic cavity. Methods Eighty-four cases of sigle foetus women with premature delivery, premature rupture of foetal membranes,or suspicious infection of amnitotic cavity were enrolled in this study. AF was obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis before starting any treatment.Infection of amniotic cavity was defined when AF bacterial culture was positive. The contents of glucose, leukocytes, MMP-9,and IF-6 in AF were determined. Results The levels of MMP-9 and IL-6 in AF were significantly higher in women with infection of amniotic cavity than those in women without. In women with infection of amniotic cavity, MMP-9 level was significantly correlated with IL-6 level (r=0.813,P