Animals ; Humans ; Liver ; growth & development ; Liver Diseases ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of mefformin on the levels of serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4),high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) and metabolic syndrome(MS). MethodsSixty patients with IGT and MS were divided into mefformin treatment group (30 cases) and life-style intervention group (30 cases) by random digits table. Body mass index (BMI),the levels of HbAic, HOMA-IR, blood fat, RBP-4,hs-CRP, TNF- α were measured both before and 16 weeks after treatment in the two groups and compared.ResultsThe levels of HbA1c, HOMA-IR, RBP-4, hs-CRP and TNF- α were significantly lower in mefformin treatment group than those in life-style intervention group [(5.09 + 0.26 )％ vs. (5.69 ± 0.49 )％, 2.95 ± 0.63vs. 3.49 ± 0.78, ( 18.69 ± 6.50) mg/L vs.(26.20 ± 6.97) mg/L, (2.37 ± 0.53) mg/L vs.(2.99 ± 0.57) mg/L,(9.49 ± 2.37) μ g/L vs. ( 14.33 ± 2.62) μ g/L] (P ＜ 0.01 ). The results of multiple linear regression showed that correlations were found between the changes of RBP-4 and BMI,HOMA-IR,hs-CRP,TNF-α(β =0.284,0.506,0.274,0.230,P ＜0.01 ),and HOMA-IR was the most important limiting factor. Conclusions Mefformin can improve insulin sensitivity of the patients with IGT and MS, and depress the levels of RBP-4,hs-CRP and TNF- α. Meanwhile mefformin has anti-inflammatory effect.

The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious impact on global public health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates host cells via its surface spike protein, which binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on the host cell membrane. As a result, small molecules targeting spike protein have emerged as a hotspot in anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug research. Activity screening is an important step in seeking small molecule drugs. Therefore, this article aims to review the biological activity evaluation methods of small molecule inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with the goal of laying the foundation for the discovery of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of extended radical resection in the treatment of pancreatic head cancer and its indication.

METHODSBetween Jan. 1995 and Dec. 1998, 56 patients with pancreatic head cancer were retrospectively reviewed, among whom 35 were treated by the Whipple operation and 21 received the extended radical resection during the same interval.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the mortality and morbidity rate of complication, though with more patients having higher clinical stages in the extended radical resection group. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 84.8%, 62.8%, 39.9% in the extended radical resection group and 70.8%, 47.6%, 17.2% in the Whipple operation group with significant difference between the two groups. The total mortality rate was 51.4% in Whipple group and 42.9% in extended radical resection group with significant difference between the two. The 3-year cumulative rate of death from local recurrence decreased from 37.4% in the Whipple group to 23.8% in the extended radical operation group. Patients who survived for more than 3 years were only those in clinical stage (SC)1 in the Whipple group whereas they were found both in patients who had had CS1, CS2 lesions and also in some who had CS3 lesions in the extended radical resection group.

CONCLUSIONThe extended radical operation does benefit patients with pancreatic head carcinoma in CS1, CS2 and in a part of CS3 without too extensive exrtra-pancreatic invasion.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Objective To observe the effect of T-2 toxin on growth and development of rat epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia in normal and low nutritional status, to find out possible pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease and provide experimental basis for early intervention. Methods Ninety 3-week-old Wistar rats, weighing 60 - 70 g, were randomly divided into three groups: control group(general feed), T-2 toxin + general feed group, T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, thirty rats in each group with equally sex ratio. T-2 toxin (1.0 mg/kg) was administered orally 5 times a week via a gavage needle for 4 weeks. The change of hair, activity and body weight was observed. After 1, 2, 4 weeks, the epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia (including distal femur and proximal tibia) were collected. Specimens were processed with HE and Masson staining. The morphology of chondrocytes and matrix collagen content in epiphyseal plate was observed. Trabecular bone volume fraction in tibial metaphyseal bone was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. Results In the control group, rats were in good movement and hair with light, but in T-2 toxin + general feed group and T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, rats were found with reduced activities and hair with dark color. Body weights(g) of the control group, the T-2 toxin + general feed group and the T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group were 81.0 ± 6.2, 79.0 ±5.1, 77.0 ± 7.5, respectively, by the end of first week; 101.8 ± 6.7, 97.0 ± 6.8, 93.0 ± 5.3, respectively, by the end of second week; 151.1 ± 15.7, 126.5 ± 11.9, 106.5 ± 11.5, respectively, by the end of fourth week. There was significant difference in groups by second week and the fourth week (F = 9.72, 41.65, all P ＜ 0.05 ). There was significant difference among multi-groups by the fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Under light microscope, at the second weeks, coagulative necrosis of chondrocytes was found in hypertrophic zone in the two groups with T-2 toxin; at the fourth weeks, cell necrosis increased. Masson staining showed collagen staining in the two groups with T-2 toxin significantly turned to clear pale coloration, indicating that the collagen matrix was significantly reduced. Image analysis showed there was significant difference in groups at the second and fourth week(F= 9.72, 41.65, all P＜ 0.05)in tibial metaphyseal trabecular bone volume fraction. There was significant difference between T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group[(0.55 ± 0.12)％, (0.21 ± 0.0)％] and control group[(0.67 ± 0.09)％, (0.51 ± 0.14)％] by the second and fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Under normal nutritional status, T-2 toxin can induce hypertrophic epiphyseal cartilage necrosis, collagen content decreased in epiphyseal plate, metaphyseal trabecular bone formation disorders; in the low nutritional status, T-2 toxin can lead to rat epiphyseal necrosis and significant metaphyseal bone disorder, but whether the performance is related to Kaschin-Beck disease needs to be studied further.

The preliminary metabolic profile of total diterpene acid (TDA) isolated from Pseudolarix kaempferi was investigated by using in vivo and in vitro tests. Pseudolaric acid C2 (PC2) was identified as the predominant metabolite in plasma, urine, bile and feces after both oral and intravenous administrations to rats using HPLC-UV and HPLC-ESI/MS(n), and demethoxydeacetoxypseudolaric acid B (DDPB), a metabolite proposed to be the glucoside of PC2 (PC2G), as well as pseudolaric acid C (PC), pseudolaric acid A (PA), pseudolaric acid A O-beta-D glucopyranoside (PAG), pseudolaric acid B O-beta-D glucopyranoside (PBG) and deacetylpseudolaric acid A (DPA) originated from TDA could also be detected. It was demonstrated by tests that the metabolism of TDA is independent of intestinal microflora, and neither of pepsin and trypsin is in charge of metabolism of TDA, TDA is also stable in both pH environments of gastric tract and intestinal tract. The metabolites of TDA in whole blood in vitro incubation were found to be PC2, DDPB and PC2G, which demonstrated that the metabolic reaction of TDA in vivo is mainly occurred in blood and contributed to be the hydrolysis of plasma esterase to ester bond, as well as the glucosylation reaction. These results clarified the metabolic pathway of TDA for the first time, which is of great significance to the in vivo active form and acting mechanism research of P. kaempferi.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diterpenes ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Hydrolysis ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Pinaceae ; chemistry ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and naringin can both promote proliferation and induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, their combined use is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of PRP combined with naringin on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)in vitro. METHODS: BMSCs at passage 3 were divided into four groups: (1) blank control group, cells were cultured in α-MEM; (2) PRP group, cells were cultured in α-MEM containing PRP; (3) naringin group, cells were cultured in α-MEM containing naringin; and (4) combined group, cells were cultured in α-MEM containing PRP and naringin. The contents of used PRP and naringin were 12.5% and 50 μg/L respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Expression of related genes in hBMSCs was detected by RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase staining, collagen type I immunohistochemical staining, and alizarin red staining were used to analyze the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The proliferation of hBMSCs was increased in each group, especially in the combined group. Cells in all the groups except the blank control group were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining, collagen type I immunohistochemical staining, and alizarin red staining, and the positive effect was more obvious in the combined group. However, negative or weakly positive response was found in the blank control group. At 7 and 14 days, the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I was significantly higher in the PRP, naringin and combined groups than the blank control group (P < 0.05); at 14 days, the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I was significantly higher in the combined group than the PRP and naringin groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, PRP combined with naringin can promote the proliferation of hBMSCs and induce the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Moreover, there is a synergistic effect between PRP and naringin.

Objective To investigate the value of the imaging findings of soft tissue abnormality in the differential diagnosis between osteomyelitis and malignant bone tumor.Methods The CT and MRI findings of soft tissue changes in 57 cases of osteomyelitis and 70 cases of malignant bone tumor were retrospectively defined,observed,recorded and statistically analyzed.Results In 57 cases of osteomyelitis, 54 cases were examined with CT,and soft tissue swelling was presented in 52 cases (degree Ⅰin 19 cases, degreeⅡin 16 cases,degree Ⅲin 17 cases).Abscess-like cysts in soft tissue occurred in 6 cases,masses in 5,air in 1,fat-fluid level in 1 and sinus tract in 1.Among 14 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in all cases (degreeⅠin 2 cases,degree Ⅱin 6 cases and degree Ⅲin 6 cases). Abscess-like cysts appeared in 3 cases and showed high signal in diffusion weighted imaging, mass in Ⅰand fat-fluid level in 1.Among 54 cases examined with CT in 70 cases of malignant bone tumor, soft tissue swelling was presented in 44 cases (degreeⅠin 29 cases,degreeⅡin 12 cases,degreeⅢin 3 cases).Soft tissue masses appeared in 49 cases,bone shell and shell-like calcification in 16 cases and neoplastic bone and neoplastic calcified cartilage within soft tissue mass in 25 cases.Among 49 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in 46 cases (degree Ⅰin 21 cases,degreeⅡin 17 cases and degree Ⅲin 8 cases),and soft tissue masses appeared in 43 cases.The degree of soft tissue swelling and the occurrence of abscess-like cyst,mass,bone shell or shell-liked calcification in the rim of mass,neoplastic bone or neoplastic calcified cartilage in masses showed significant difference(P

Abstract: Objective To explore and analyze the diagnostic value of multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) for the resistance of five anti-tuberculosis drugs, so as to clarify the clinical value of MMCA in detecting drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods From April 2021 to May 2022, 200 patients with positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Qinghai Province were selected as research objects, and sputum specimens were taken from the patients. Traditional Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug sensitivity test (modified Löwenstein-Jensen medium method) and MMCA analysis were respectively given to detect the resistance of five anti-tuberculosis drugs, including isoniazid, ethambutol, streptomycin, rifampicin and isoniazid, respectively. Those samples with inconsistent results between the two diagnosis methods were subjected to gene sequencing verification, and the diagnosis efficiency of MMCA for the five anti-tuberculosis drugs was compared. Results Using Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug sensitivity as the gold standard for drug resistance diagnosis, the sensitivity of MMCA for detecting drug resistance of rifampicin, ethambutol, streptomycin, isoniazid and levofloxacin were 95.83% (46/48), 93.75% (15/16), 100.00% (15/15), 100.00% (20/20) and 70.00% (7/10), respectively, with statistical differences between groups (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of MMCA for the five anti-tuberculosis drugs (P>0.05). For the 8 samples with inconsistent results between MMCA and modified Löwenstein-Jensen medium method, gene sequencing was performed and compared with the results of gene sequencing. After comparison with gene sequencing results, it was found that the coincidence rate of MMCA and gene sequencing results was 75.00% (6/8). Conclusions In the detection of drug-resistant mutations in TB patients, multi-color probe fusion curve analysis has high diagnostic efficacy for first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, but is not sensitive to second-line anti-tuberculosis drug levofloxacin. Therefore, for the detection of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, MMCA has a good clinical application prospect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of the island flap based on the postfemur neurocutaneous nutrient vessel.

METHODSThe flap was designed and applied to repair the defects in the gluteal, popliteal fossa or the bilateral postfemur areas. A total of 11 cases (12 defects) were treated with this method. The size of the defects ranged from 4.0 cm x 7.8 cm to 8.3 cm x 16.6 cm.

RESULTSOf the 12 defects, 9 achieved complete success. Epidermal necrosis occurred in the distal part of the flap in 3 defects owing to venous stasis, which were cured with skin grafting. Postoperative follow-up for 8-19 months showed that the appearance, texture, and function of the flap were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe advantages of the flap lie in the reliable blood supply, constant anatomy, and without sacrificing a major artery. The key points for the flap survival are utilizing the "Superficial vein-nutrient vessel of the cutaneous nerve system" and retaining a comet tail-shaped soft-tissue pedicle in the flap creation.

Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Necrosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Skin ; injuries ; pathology ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; pathology ; transplantation ; Thigh ; Wound Healing