AIM:To investigate the expression of centromere protein-H(CENP-H)in adrenocortical carcino-ma(ACC)and its relationship with disease progression and prognosis,and to explore the impact of CENP-H gene knock-down on the viability and migration of ACC cells.METHODS:The mRNA expression level of CENP-H in 76 ACC pa-tients and 128 healthy controls,and its correlations with tumor stages and prognosis were analyzed by GEPIA2 database.The mRNA expression of CENP-H in different stages of ACC and its correlation with disease prognosis were further ana-lyzed by ULCAN database.The protein expression of CENP-H was examined by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded ACC and normal adrenal gland specimens.Knockdown of CENP-H by siRNA(siCENP-H)was performed in human ACC cell line H295R.The viabilty of H295R cells transfected with siCENP-H or siNC was measured by CCK-8 as-say,the cell migration was detected by wound-healing assay,and the protein levels of CENP-H,p-ERK1/2,t-ERK1/2,p-P38,t-P38,p-JNK1/2 and t-JNK1/2 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:The mRNA level of CENP-H was signifi-cantly higher in ACC than that in normal controls,and was correlated with tumor stages and prognosis.The protein level of CENP-H was significantly higher in ACC specimens than that in normal adrenal gland.Knockdown of CENP-H in H295R cells resulted in decreased cell viability and migration.The protein levels of p-P38 and p-JNK1/2 were decreased in si-CENP-H group.CONCLUSION:CENP-H is highly expressed in ACC,and is correlated with tumor stages and poor prognosis.Knockdown of CENP-H can inhibit the viability and migration of ACC cells,and its mechanism may related to inactivation of P38 and JNK signaling pathways.

Objective:To establish ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) characteristic chromatogram of Pulsatilla chinensis; To provide reference for the origin identification and quality control of Pulsatilla chinensis. Methods:UPLC Method was adopted. The determination was performed on a column of Agilent SB C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) . The mobile phase was acetonitrile-methanol (2:1) -0.1% phosphoric acid solution by fradient elution at a flow rate of 0.30ml/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The detection wavelength was 215 nm. The injection volume was 2 μl. The common counterfeit products and medicinal herbs of Pulsatilla chinensis from different areas were evaluated by comparison of characteristic chromatogram, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Results:There were 9 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatogram of Pulsatilla chinensis, and 8 common peaks were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry and comparison of reference materials. Through PCA analysis, it was possible to clearly distinguish the medicinal herbs of Pulsatilla chinensis from different areas. Combined with OPLS-DA analysis, it was found that peak 2, peak 3, peak 6 were the main markers of Pulsatilla chinensis from different producing areas. Conclusion:The established method has good specificity, repeatability and durability, and it can effectively distinguish the common counterfeits of Pulsatilla chinensis, and provide the basis of quality control and selection of origin for Pulsatilla chinensis.

Objective To explore the application value of simultaneous multi-slice(SMS)technique in diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)for evaluating brain glioma.Methods Thirty-four brain glioma patients were prospectively enrolled,and brain conventional DTI and SMS-DTI were acquired.The subjective scores of image quality,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)were compared between SMS-DTI and conventional DTI,so were the numbers of whole brain fiber bundles,tumor relative fractional anisotropy(rFA)and relative mean diffusivity(rMD)obtained based on SMS-DTI and conventional DTI.Results Among 34 patients,there were 23 cases of high-grade glioma and 11 cases of low-grade glioma.No significant difference of subjective scores of image quality,tumor edge clarity nor magnetic susceptibility artifacts was found between SMS-DTI and conventional DTI(all P＞0.05).SNR and CNR on SMS-DTI were both lower than those on conventional DTI(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of the numbers of whole brain fiber bundles,rFA nor rMD of gliomas with different pathological grades was detected based on SMS-DTI compared with those on conventional DTI(all P＞0.05).Conclusion SMS applicated in DTI for evaluating brain gliomas was able to shorten acquisition time under the condition of ensuring image quality and quantitative analysis accuracy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of hepatobiliary metabolie dysfunction on gut microbiota in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Methods: Forty Sprauge-Dawley(SD) rats at 10 days of gestation were randomly divided into two groups,25 for ICP induction and 15 as control. Estradiol benzoate, combined with progesterone, was given to the rats by intraperitoneal injjection from 10 to 14 days after gestation. Hepatic impairment indicators of total bilirubin(TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),-glutamyl transferase ( GGT), alkaline phosphatase(AL.P), and total bile acids (TBA) in sera of the animals were detected in each group to verify the model construction. Simultaneously, the liver tissues were subjected to pathology examination and fresh faeces samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to explore the gut microbiota profiles. Results: The serum levels of TBIL,ALT,AST,GGT,ALP and TBA in ICP group were significantly elevated compared with the control (P<0. 05 );the ICP rats presented obvious characteristics of hepatobiliary disorders, showing prominent steatosis, necrosis of hepatocytes and infiltration of inflammatory cells, with formation of bile thrombus in some animals. The abundance of Eubacterium, Bacteroides, Parabacteroides distasonis and Bacteroides uniformis remarkably decreased wereas Prevotela and Fusobacterium significantly increased in ICP rats when compared with the control (P<0.05). Conclusion The hepatic injuries and bile acid metabolic disorders occurred in ICP rats,which resulted in dysbiosis of gut microbiota.

AIM:From the perspective of regulating mitochondrial complex I activity by DJ-1 protein,this study aims to explore the mechanism of DJ-1-mediated resveratrol(RES)preconditioning in protecting against oxidative stress injury induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)in rats.METHODS:After intramyocardial injection of lentivirus carrying DJ-1 shRNA(sh-DJ-1)or negative control(NC)shRNA,the myocardial I/R model was constructed by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the rat coronary artery.Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided in-to 6 groups:sham group,I/R group,RES+I/R group,NC+RES+I/R group,sh-DJ-1+RES+I/R group,and IACS-010759(mitochondrial complex I inhibitor)+RES+I/R group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in RES treatment groups were given RES(20 mg/kg)via gavage for 7 d prior to the myocardial I/R modeling,once daily.Moreover,the rats in sham and I/R groups received an equivalent volume of normal saline via gavage.Myocardial infarction area and cardiac function were assessed by TTC staining and echocardiography,respectively.The MitoSOX fluorescent probe was used to detect levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the myocardium.The levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dis-mutase(SOD)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the serum were detected using kits.Western blot and co-immunopre-cipitation assays were used to observe the interaction between DJ-1 and the two subunits,ND-1 and NDUFA4,of the mito-chondrial complex I.RESULTS:Compared with I/R group,RES pretreatment significantly reduced the myocardial in-farction area,mitochondrial ROS levels,serum LDH activity,and serum MDA content(P＜0.01).It also elevated left ventricular ejection fraction,left ventricular fractional shortening and serum SOD activity(P＜0.01).Pretreatment with RES increased the expression and mitochondrial translocation of DJ-1(P＜0.01),promoted the interaction between DJ-1 and ND-1/NDUFA4,which in turn protected the activity of mitochondrial complex I(P＜0.01).However,when the ex-pression of DJ-1 was suppressed,the protective effects of RES against myocardial I/R injury were significantly inhibited compared with RES+I/R group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Pretreatment with RES increases the expression and mitochondrial translocation of DJ-1,and facilitates the interaction of DJ-1 with ND1 and NDUFA4 subunits of mito-chondrial complex I,thus preserving the activity of mitochondrial complex I and attenuating myocardial I/R-induced oxida-tive stress damage.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

【Objective】 To investigate the clinical features and gene analysis of one pedigree with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A （MEN2A） so as to clarify the diagnosis and classification of the disease， guide treatment and prevention， and improve prognosis. 【Methods】 The clinical data of a 36-member MEN2A family， including 6 probands， with medullary thyroid carcinoma， were investigated， and the peripheral blood genomic DNA of 28 family members （blood sample of one proband was not collected） was extracted. PCR amplification was performed on exons 8， 10， 11， 13， 14， 15 and 16 of the RET gene， and the products were directly sequenced. 【Results】 Review of the medical history showed that two probands with medullary thyroid carcinoma were accompanied with hyperparathyroidism， and one family member had pheochromocytoma. The RET gene mutation test confirmed that 13 family members， consisting of 5 probands and 8 family members， had the RET proto-oncogene exon 10 missense mutation. The heterozygous missense had mutation c.1852T>A， leading to the conversion of cysteine （TGC） at position 618 to serine （AGC） （Cys618Ser）. All subjects carrying RET gene Cys618Ser mutation had abnormal thyroid ultrasound change， accompanied with elevated calcitonin levels. Subjects carrying wild type of RET gene had normal calcitonin levels. The family was finally diagnosed with MEN2A by RET gene detection. 【Conclusion】 RET gene detection plays key role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with MEN2A family and has guiding value in the follow-up and prognosis of asymptomatic carriers. There is a positive correlation between calcitonin level and the RET protooncogene mutation Cys618Ser. Patients suspected of MEN2A should be screened in time.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategies in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients suffering from cardiogenic cardiac arrest. During CPR, both healthcare and non-healthcare workers who provide resuscitation are at risk of infection. The Working Group for Expert Consensus on Prevention and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest in COVID-19 has developed this Chinese Expert Consensus to guide clinical practice of CPR in COVID-19 patients. Main recommendations: 1) A medical team should be assigned to evaluate severe and critical COVID-19 for early monitoring of cardiac-arrest warning signs. 2) Psychological counseling and treatment are highly recommended, since sympathetic and vagal abnormalities induced by psychological stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can induce cardiac arrest. 3) Healthcare workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). 4) Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided on patients suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. 5) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression are recommended. 6) Tracheal-intubation procedures should be optimized and tracheal-intubation strategies should be implemented early. 7) CPR should be provided for 20-30 min. 8) Various factors should be taken into consideration such as the interests of patients and family members, ethics, transmission risks, and laws and regulations governing infectious disease control. Changes in management: The following changes or modifications to CPR strategy in COVID-19 patients are proposed: 1) Healthcare workers should wear PPE. 2) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression can be implemented to reduce or avoid the spread of viruses by aerosols. 3) Both the benefits to patients and the risk of infection should be considered. 4) Hhealthcare workers should be fully aware of and trained in CPR strategies and procedures specifically for patients with COVID-19.

Objective To compare the accuracy of three classification systems [determinant based classification (DBC),Revision of the Atlanta classification (RAC),and Atlanta classification (AC)] to stratify severity of acute pancreatitis (AP),and to analyze the association between different severity categories and clinical outcomes.Methods In this retrospective study,we reviewed the clinical data of 458 patients with AP admitted to our unit from January 2015 to December 2017.AP severity was stratified according to the three classification systems (DBC,RAC,and AC) respectively.The classification accuracy of three classification systems was analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve) compared the accuracy of each classification.Multi-factors logistic regression analysis identified the independent risk fators for mortality of AP.Results Among the three classification systems,there were significant differences in the mortality rate,invasive treatment rate,ICU monitoring rate and the average hospitalization time among the three subtypes (P＜0.001).The RAC and DBC were comparable,but performed better than AC in predicting mortality (AUC 0.94 and 0.95 vs.0.63,P＜0.001),ICU admission (AUC 0.90 and 0.88 vs 0.60,P＜0.001).The DBC performed better than the RAC and OAC in predicting the need for intervention (AUC 0.88 vs 0.69 and 0.68,P＜0.001).Persistent organ failure (OR=13.131,P=0.003) and infected necrosis(OR=9.424,P=0.014) were independent risk factors for mortality.Conclusion The accuracy of DBC and RAC to stratify the severity of AP was significantly higher than that of AC.The accuracy of DBC in predicting clinical outcome was genarally higher than that of RAC and AC.Infectious necrosis and persistent organ failure were the independent risk fators for mortality.

Objective: To establish the immortalized mouse brain microvascular pericytes model and to apply to the cerebrovascular toxicants screening study. Methods: Brain pericytes were isolated from 3 weeks of mice by tissue digestion. Immortalized pericyte cell line was constructed by infecting with LT retrovirus. Monoclone was selected to purify the immortalized pericyte cell line. The pericyte characteristics and purity were explored by immunocytochemistry. Cell proliferation was measured by using the Pomega MTS cell Proliferation Colorimetric Assay Kit. Pericytes were treated with 0, 160, 320, 640, 1 280, 2 560 μmol/L lead acetate, 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol/L cadmium chloride and 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol/L sodium arsenite in 24 hours. Cell toxicity of each group was determined by MTS assay, median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was calculated in linear regression. Results: Mouse brain pericytes were successfully isolated by tissue separation and enzyme digestion method. After immortalized by LT retroviruses, monoclone was selected and expanded to establish pericyte cell line. The brain pericytes exhibited typical long spindle morphology and positive staining for α-SMA and Vimentin. The proliferation of brain pericytes cell lines was very slowly, and the doubling time was about 48 hours. The proliferation of immortalized brain pericytes cell lines was very quickly, and the doubling time was about 24 hours. After lead acetate, cadmium chloride and sodium arsenite treatment for 24 hours respectively, gradual declines in cell viability were observed. The LD₅₀ of lead acetate was 2 025.0 μmol/L, the LD₅₀ of cadmium chloride was 36.6 μmol/L, and the LD₅₀ of sodium arsenite was 33.2 μmol/L. Conclusion The immortalized mouse brain microvascular pericyte model is established successfully by infecting with LT retrovirus, and can be applied to screen cerebrovascular toxicants. The toxicity of these toxicants to immortalized mouse brain microvascular pericyte is in sequence: sodium arsenite,cadmium chloride, lead acetate.