BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injuries induced by sacral segment and lumbar lesions can damage the primary sacral micturition center or its surrounding nerves (parasympathetic and somatic nerve) to cause detrusor areflexia, thereby leading to urinary retention and further pathological changes in bladder tissue morphology.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ciliao (BL32), Zhongji (RN3), Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints on bladder capacity and bladder tissue morphology of rats with urinary retention after sacral spinal cord injury.
METHODS:Ten of 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected as blank group, and other 30 rats were randomly divided into model group, acupoint group and non-acupoint group. In the model group, the rats received no electroacupuncture. In the non-acupoint group, acupuncture and electroacupuncture at non-acupoint points were performed, respectively, for 20 minutes. In the acupoint group, acupuncture and electroacupuncture were performed at the Ciliao, Zhongji, and Sanyinjiao acupoints. Bladder capacity was measured at days 14 and 22 after treatment. After treatment, bladder tissues were extracted for morphological observation with hematoxylin-eosin staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The maximum bladder capacity in the acupoint group was obviously reduced after treatment (P<0.01);the curative effect in the acupoint group was more obvious than the non-acupoint group (P<0.05);the difference between preoperative and postoperative bladder capacity (d value) was more significant in the acupoint group than the non-acupoint group (P<0.05). (2) Compared with the model and non-acupoint groups, morphological changes in the bladder tissue were improved more significantly in the acupoint group. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture at the Ciliao, Zhongji, and Sanyinjiao acupoints can effectively reduce the maximum bladder capacity and repair the damaged bladder tissue after sacral spinal cord injury.

Objective To explore the effects of electrical acupuncture at Ciliao (BL32), Zhongji (RN03), Sanyinjiao (SP06) acupoints on the expression of caspase-3 in bladder tissue and the urodynamics of rats with neurogenic bladder (detrusor areflexia type) after sacral spinal cord injury. Methods 10 rats were randomly selected as blank control group from 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats. The other 30 rats were randomly divided into model group, acupoint group and control group after modeling, with 10 rats in each group. The urodynamics was measured on the 14th and 22nd day after modeling. The control group and acupoint group received electrical acupuncture 7 times at the acupoints and other points nearby, respectively, from the 15th day. The expression of caspase- 3 in bladder tissue was detected with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results Compared with the model group, the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance and expression of caspase-3 in bladder tissue significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.01), the filling bladder pressure significantly increased (P<0.05) in the acupoint group. And the acupuncture group was better than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electrical acupuncture at Ciliao, Zhongji and Sanyinjiao can reduce the maximum bladder capacity in neurogenic bladder rats and inhabit the expression of caspase-3 in bladder tissue.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of artesunate(Art)against apoptosis and mitophagy induced by NaF in osteocytes MLO-Y4,and to explore the molecular mechanism.METHODS MLO-Y4 cells were treated with NaF(2 mmol·L-1)for 48 h to establish an in vitro model of osteocytes injuries,and the cells were divided into the cell control group,NaF(2 mmol·L-1)group and NaF+Art 0.25,0.50 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 groups.The cells were pretreated for 2 h and NaF was added for 48 h.The cell survival of MLO-Y4 cells was detected by MTT assay.The cell viability of MLO-Y4 cells was measured by Calcein-AM staining.The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)content in the supernatant was examined by the LDH detection kit.The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)was examined by DCFH-DA staining.The malondialdehyde(MDA)content and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity were detected by chemical colorimetry.Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst33342 staining and Annexin-V/PI staining.The level of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was measured by JC-1 staining.The formation of autophagic vacuoles and morphological mitochondrial changes were observed via Lyso-tracker staining and Mito-Tracker staining.The ATP content was detected with the luciferase method.The expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC-3)in mitochon-dria was examined by immunofluorescence staining.Protein expressions of LC-3,P62,E3 ubiquitin-ligase(Parkin)and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate and cell viability were significantly reduced in the NaF group(P<0.01),LDH content in the supernatant,the level of intracellular ROS,the MDA content,apoptosis rate and autophagic vesicle formation were remarkably increased(P<0.01),protein levels of Parkin and PINK1,and the conversion of LC-3Ⅱ from LC-3Ⅰ were markedly upregulated along with the elevation of LC-3 in damaged mitochondria(P<0.01),while P62 levels,SOD activity,MMP and ATP contents were reduced in NaF cells(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with NaF group,the cell viability and survival rate of MLO-Y4 cells in NaF+Art 0.25,0.50 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 groups were significantly increased(P<0.01);the content of LDH in supernatants was decreased obviously(P<0.01);the levels of intracellular ROS and MDA content were markedly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);the apoptosis rate and autophagic vesicle formation were remarkably decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);protein levels of Parkin and PINK1,and the conversion of LC-3Ⅱ from LC-3Ⅰ were markedly down-regulated along with the accumulation of LC-3 in damaged mitochondria(P<0.01);MMP and ATP content were also reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);while SOD activityand P62 levelwere significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLU-SION Art has a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by NaF in MLO-Y4 cells,which might be related to the inhibition of apoptosis and mitophagy.

Background and objective Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents the highest morbidity and mortality among malignant tumors worldwide. hTe overall effective rate of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is 30% to 40%, and PFS (progression-free sruvival) is 12 months. However, EGFR-TKI resistance is typical in clinical observations, and this phenomenon signiifcantly affects tumor suppression. To overcome this resistance, a new prognostic factor associated with lung cancer drug resistance should be discovered. This study investigated the rela-tionship between the inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) and non-small cell lung cancer EGFR-TKI resistancein vivo andin vitro to determine any statistical signiifcance and discuss the underlying mechanism.Methods Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to quantify the expression of ID1 in lung cancer. IHC was used to detect the expression of ID1 in pathological tissues (lung cancer tissues and adjacent tissues). MTT was used to detect cell proliferation, in which the cells were treated with geiftinib atfer being transfected by ID1 slow virus vector. Lung cancer cells were inoculated in nude mice until the tu-mor diameter grew to certain measurement. Geiftinib treatment was started, and the tumor volume was estimated.Results ID1 was highly expressed in NSCLC (P<0.05). Both ID1 expression and drug resistance of EGFR-TKI in NSCLC were positively correlated (P<0.05). hTe treatment group with geiftinib showed obviously less expression than the control group. Conclusion ID1 is highly expressed in NSCLC. ID1 expression was positively related to drug resistance of EGFR-TKI in NSCLC. Geiftinib can be used to effectively treat NSCLC, and the mechanism may be associated with an increased level of STAT3 phosphorylation.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of fatal outcome in patients with severe COVID-19.Methods:The clinical characteristics of 107 patients with severe COVID-19 admitted in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 12 to March 12, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. During the hospitalization 49 patients died (fatal group) and 58 patients survived (survival group). The clinical characteristics, baseline laboratory findings were analyzed using R and Python statistical software. The risk factors of fatal outcome in patients with severe COVID-19 were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.Results:Univariate analysis showed that the two groups had statistically significant differences in age, clinical classification, dry cough, dyspnea and laboratory test indicators ( P<0.05 or <0.01). The random forest model was used to rank the significance of the statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis, and the selected variables were included in the binary logistic regression model. After stepwise regression analysis, the patient’s clinical type, age, neutrophil count, and the proportion of CD3 cells are independent risk factors for death in severe COVID-19 patients. Dry cough is an independent protective factor for the death of severe COVID-19 patients. Conclusion:COVID-19 patients with fatal outcome are more likely to have suppressed immune function, secondary infection and inflammatory factor storm. These factors may work together in severe patients, leading to intractable hypoxemia and multiple organ dysfunction and resulting in fatal outcome of patients. The study indicates that timely intervention and treatment measures against above factors may be effective to save the lives of patients with severe COVID-19.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib in the treatment of multiple myeloma. METHODS: Eighty patients with multiple myeloma treated with ixazomib-containing therapy in the department of hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 38 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)and 42 patients who switched treatment due to adverse events (AEs) after initial induction therapy with bortezomib. Treatment was a two-drug or three-drug regimen containing ixazomib, and the clinical efficacy and safety of ixazomib were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) of relapsed/refractory patients was 50%, ≥ VGPR 21.05%; the ORR of patients who switched treatment was 83.33%, compared with the ORR before switching (78.57%), the response rate was further improved, of which 45.24%(19/42) patients had deepened response; the main hematological AEs included granulocyte and platelet count reduction and anemia, non-hematological AEs were mainly diarrhea and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Ixazomib shows good clinical efficacy and safety in patients with RRMM and bortezomib-intolerant MM.

Objective:To explore the influence of central obesity on the risk of breast cancer and the possible role of dietary factors in its prevention.Methods:This study is a case-control study including a total of 212 participants, of whom 63 were with breast cancer, 71 were with breast nodules, and 80 were healthy controls. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body composition,and adopted the food frequency questionnaire to investigate dietary intake of participants.Results:The visceral adipose tissue ( OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.003 to 1.077) and trunk fat mass ( OR=1.470, 95% CI: 1.104 to 2.184) were independently associated with the increased risk of breast cancer. Dietary patterns characterized by low dietary intake of beans and dairy products ( OR=1.300, 95% CI: 1.044 to 1.619) and high intake of cereals and red meat ( OR=2.254, 95% CI: 1.705 to 2.982) will increase the risk of breast cancer. Moreover, high meat intake ( β=0.268, 95% CI: 0.034 to 0.503) would advance the accumulation of visceral fat, while high bean intake ( β=-0.485, 95% CI: -0.865 to -0.104) would inhibit. Conclusions:Central obesity is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Insufficient intake of beans and excessive intake of red meat are identified as factors that can exacerbate central obesity in breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE： To prepare Ganshen granules， formulate its quality standards primarily and establish its HPLC fingerprint. METHODS： Using feeding speed， roller speed， roller pressure and roller clearance as factor， grain forming rate as index， single factor test and orthogonal test were used to optimize the granulation technology of Ganshen granules. According to 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia （part Ⅳ） （shorted for pharmacopeia）， moisture， granulation and dissolution were determined. TLC was used for the qualitative identification of Lycium barbarum， Astragalus membranaceus， Codonopsis pilosula in the Ganshen granules. HPLC method was used to determine the contents of betaine， calycosin-7-glucoside and lobetyolin in Ganshen granules. Fingerprints of 10 batches of Ganshen granules were drawn. RESULTS： The optimal dry granulation technology of Ganshen granules included that 25 r/min feeding speed， 8 r/min roller speed， 7 MPa roller pressure and 1.1 mm roller clearance， The grain forming rate is 85.83％. The moisture， granulation and solubility of Ganshen granule were all in line with pharmacopeia standard. TLC of L. barbarum， A. membranaceus and C. pilosula showed the same color spots on the corresponding positions of the reference chromatogram. The linear range of sample mass of betaine is 4.32-8.64 μg， and the linear range of mass concentration of calycosin-7-glucoside and lobetyolin were 5-30 and 10-60 μg/mL， respectively. RSDs of precision， reproducibility and stability tests （24 h） were all lower than 2.0％ （n＝5）. Average recoveries were 97.02％， 99.25％ and 101.04％ （all RSD＜1.7％， n＝6 or n＝9）. The contents of them were 4.298、0.054、0.025 mg/g， respectively. The similarity of HPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of Ganshen granules to control fingerprint was higher than 0.95. CONCLUSIONS： The optimal granulation technology of Ganshen granule is stable and feasible， and established quality standard and HPLC fingerprint can provide reference for quality control of Ganshen granule.