Objective To evaluate the changes in the number and activities of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from peripheral blood in patients with primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS),and to explore the possible mechanisms of BCS.Methods Eighty-two patients with BCS and 20 healthy subjects used as controls were recruited for this study.The EPCs from peripheral blood were counted by flow cytometry for CD34,CDl33 and KDR for positivity.The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and cultured for 7 days.Characterization of EPCs as adherent cells was done using double staining of FITC-UEA-1 and DiI-Ac-LDL binding.The proliferation,adhesion and migration activities were assayed by MTT chromatometry,adhesion activity assay and Transwell assay,respectively.Results EPCs (CD34+/CD133 +/KDR+) were depleted in the BCS patients as compared to the healthy controls [(0.020 ± 0.005) ％ vs (0.038 ± 0.007) ％].The proliferation activities (0.20 ± 0.04 vs 0.58 ± 0.07),adhesion activities (15.8 ± 1.6 vs 35.0 ± 2.5) and migration activities (16.1 ± 1.7 vs 23.9 ± 2.6) were significantly lower in the BCS group than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EPCs from the peripheral blood in patients with BCS exhibited reduced numbers and impaired proliferation,adhesion and migration activity,which may be the key factors for vasculopathy formation in primary BCS patients.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of facial color features' evaluation in the dignosis and the treatment of bronchial asthma (BA) in children,providing an objective basis and therapeutic evaluation for its clinical studies.Parameters of the fratures of facial complexions of 129 children with BA were detected using.TCM-Ⅰ Smart type of life information analysis system.Then the parameters of the features of facial complexions in the children was analyzed and explored.It was found that red faces were common in asthma children during the acute stage,while withered faces were presented in the children with BA during the remission stage,lacking bright cheeks in the children of both the two stages.The H values and the S values of the features of facial complexions in the children with BA were significantly higher than those of the healthy children (P ＜ 0.05),while the V values of the children with BA were significantly lower than those of the healthy children (P ＜ 0.05).Besides,the H values and the V values of the features of facial complexions in the children with BA during the acute period were significantly lower than those in the remission stage (P ＜ 0.05).In conclusion,it was demonstrated that the characteristics of facial complexions may provide an objective basis for the prognosis of bronchial asthma in children.

Because of irregular shapes of Chinese herbal pieces, we simplified the previously deduced general extraction kinetic model for TCMs, and integrated particle diameters of Chinese herbs that had been hard to be determined in the final parameter "a". The reduction of the direct determination of particle diameters of Chinese herbs was conducive to increase the accuracy of the model, expand the application scope of the model, and get closer to the actual production conditions. Finally, a simplified model was established, with its corresponding experimental methods and data processing methods determined. With total flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix as the determination index, we conducted a study on the adaptability of total flavonoids extracted from Scutellariae Radix with the water decoction method in the model. The results showed a good linear correlation among the natural logarithm value of the mass concentration of total flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix, the time and the changes in the natural logarithm of solvent multiple. Through calculating and fitting, efforts were made to establish the kinetic model of extracting total flavonoids from Scutellariae Radix with the water decoction method, and verify the model, with a good degree of fitting and deviation within the range of the industrial production requirements. This indicated that the model established by the method has a good adaptability.
Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Kinetics ; Models, Theoretical ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

Objective:To investigate the effect of improved partial graft excision (iPGE) in the treatment of infected arteriovenous grafts (AVG).Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. A cohort database study of patients who underwent surgery for infected AVG from January 2019 to July 2022 was conducted. The cases were divided into total graft excision (TGE) group and iPGE group, and the postoperative reinfection rate and surgery-related complications, such as bleeding, nerve injury and limb ischemia, in the two groups were analyzed. The primary patency rate and the secondary patency rate at 3 months and 6 months after the surgery in the iPGE group were analyzed.Results:(1) General information: A total of 47 cases were included in the study. Among these 47 cases, 14 cases had undergone iPGE of infected AVG, and 33 cases had undergone TGE. The study population was of an average age of 59 years (21-81 years), including 18 males and 29 females. Dialysis age was 36 (14, 72) months. AVG age was 18 (4, 36) months. The shortest AVG age was half a month, and the longest AVG age was 72 months. (2)Comparative analysis of the two groups: The reinfection rate of the iPGE group was 21.4% (3/14), and the reinfection rate of the TGE group was 0 (0/33). The reinfection rate of the iPGE group was higher than that of the TGE group, and the difference was statistically significant (Fisher exact test, P=0.022). For 11 patients in the iPGE group (excluding 3 cases with reinfection), the shortest follow-up period was 5 months and the longest follow-up period was 18 months. In the iPGE group, the primary patency rate at 3 months was 72.7% (8/11), and the primary patency rate at 6 months was 72.7% (8/11); the secondary patency rate at 3 months was 100% (11/11) and the secondary patency rate at 6 months was 90.9% (10/11). There was no brachial artery rupture, nerve injury or limb ischemia in the iPGE group. In the TGE group, 1 case underwent secondary repair of brachial artery due to brachial artery rupture, and there was no nerve injury or limb ischemia in other cases. Conclusions:During the treatment of infected AVG, iPGE can preserve the original fistula, and avoid central venous catheterization. At the same time, the operation difficulty and risk are relatively low. Although the reinfection rate of iPGE is slightly higher than that of TGE in this study, the reinfection rate of iPGE is lower than that reported in the previous study. The key to prevent reinfection is to grasp the reasonable surgical adaptation signs in preoperative evaluation, perform intraoperative reevaluation and control surgical operation details. The iPGE represents an acceptable method for the treatment of some particular patients with infected AVG.

Objective:To observe and analyze the effect of peripore cavity size on visual function of macular area before and after surgery for idiopathic macular hole (IMH).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From July 2020 to February 2021, a total of 25 patients with 25 eyes with monocular IMH (operation group) diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Department of ophthalmology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included in the study. The control group was contralateral healthy eyes. All subjects were examined by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microfield of vision, frequency domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). The diameter of macular hole was measured by SD-OCT. The cystic morphology of deep capillary plexus (DCP) was detected by en face OCT, and the cystic area was measured by Image J software. MP-3 microperimeter was used to measure central macular retinal light sensitivity (MS) and mean macular retinal light sensitivity (MMS). Central macular retinal light sensitivity (CMS), MMS and cystic cavity MS were measured in the operation group. MMS was measured in the control group. The microperimetry images were superimposed on the DCP layer of OCTA to identify and calculate the average MS within the lumen and compare it with the control group. Standard three incisions were performed in all affected eyes by vitrectomy of the flat part of the ciliary body + stripping of the inner boundary membrane + intraocular sterile air filling. Three months after the operation, the same equipment and methods were used to perform relevant examinations. Paired sample t test was used to compare MS between operation group and control group. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between capsular area, macular hole diameter before and after operation and MS before and after operation. The correlation between BCVA and capsular area before and after surgery was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results:In the surgical group, the retinal MS was (4.24±3.07) dB. The MMS of control group was (19.08±6.11) dB. The MS in the surgical group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=10.832, P<0.01). Before operation, the area of cyst was (1.04±0.55) mm 2, and the diameter of macular hole was (564.80±166.59) μm. CMS and MMS were (2.27±2.29) dB and (9.08±3.65) dB, respectively. The diameter of macular hole ( r=0.50, P=0.010) and BCVA before operation ( r=0.57, P<0.001) were positively correlated with peripore cavity area. Before operation, CMS and MMS were negatively correlated with peripore cavity area ( r=-0.53, -0.47; P=0.010, 0.020). At 3 months after surgery, the capsular area was negatively correlated with CMS and MMS ( r=-0.65,-0.76; P=0.020, 0.030). There was no correlation with BCVA ( r=0.23, P=0.470). Conclusions:Retinal MS is decreased in the peri-capsular area of IMH pore. There is a positive correlation between capsule area, BCVA and macular hole diameter before operation. The capsular area is negatively correlated with CMS and MMS before operation.

OBJECTIVEThis study attempted to explore the value of combining serum hepatic fibrosis-related markers and ultrasound parameters together on diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSSix serum markers and 8 ultrasound parameters were measured from 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis. The results of the serum hepatic fibrosis-related markers and ultrasound in disease group were analyzed and compared with the findings of hepatic pathology.

RESULTSBy filtrating,the group of platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) plus hyaluronic acid (HA) plus echo characteristics of liver parenchyma (LPEC) plus length of spleen (SL) had the highest Se and Spe, which were 90.7% and 85.4% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe advantageous combination of serum markers and ultrasound parameters can significantly improve Se and Spe, which is superior to any single serum index or ultrasound parameter. And it was a better non-invasive method for diagnosing hepatic fibrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of intramuscular nerve and blood vessels in forearm muscles and to discuss the possibility of dividing the forearm muscles into independent functional units.

METHODS(1) The muscles were dissected in 10 forearms from 5 fresh adult human cadavers and stained with the Sihler's nerve staining; (2) The blood vessels were studied in eight forearm muscles from 4 fresh adult human cadavers with irrigation of a mixture of 30% barium sulfate and gelatin from brachial artery and then X-photographed. All pictures were compared to study the intramuscular distribution of nerve and blood vessels.

RESULTSThe intramuscular nerve branches were stained purple-black and visualized clearly. The muscles were classified into three types according to the distribution characters of intramuscular nerve and blood vessels. And the types of muscles could be further subdivided into a and b subtypes.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the neurovascular distribution, the forearm muscles in type II a and type III a can be divided into independent function units for muscle functional transplantation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Forearm ; blood supply ; innervation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; innervation ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThere are few reports of a biological role for glycosyltransferases in the infiltration of osteoarthritic synovitis. The aim of this research was to investigate the expression and cellular location of β-1,4-galactosyltransferase I (β-1,4-GalT-I) in a surgically-induced rat model of knee osteoarthritis (OA), and explore the role of β-1,4-GalT-I in the pathogenesis of OA.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: OA group, sham group and normal group. The model of OA was established in the right knees of rats by anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) with partial medial meniscectomy. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) obtained from normal rat synovial tissue were cultured. The expression of β-1,4-GalT-I mRNA in the synovial tissue, articular cartilage and FLSs treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed by real-time PCR. Western-blotting and immunohistochemisty were used to observe the expression of β-1,4-GalT-I at the protein level. Double immunofluorescent staining was used to define the location of the β-1,4-GalT-I with macrophage-like synoviocytes, FLSs, neutrophils, and TNF-α in the OA synovium. The alteration of TNF-α in FLSs which were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and β-1,4-GalT-I-Ab were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression of β-1,4-GalT-I increased in synovial tissue of the OA group compared with the normal and sham groups at two and four weeks after the surgery, however, no significant difference appeared in the articular cartilage. Immunohistochemistry also indicated that the β-1,4-GalT-I expression in OA synovium at four weeks after surgery increased sharply compared with the control group. β-1,4-GalT-I co-localized with macrophage-like synoviocytes, FLSs, neutrophils and TNF-α in rat OA synovitis. Moreover, in vitro β-1,4-GalT-I mRNA in FLSs was affected in a dose- and time-dependent manner in response to TNF-α stimulation. ELISA revealed that the expression of TNF-α was attenuated in FLSs in vitro when treated with anti β-1,4-GalT-I antibody.

CONCLUSIONβ-1,4-GalT-I may play an important role in the inflammation process of rat OA synovial tissue which would provide the foundation for further researching into the concrete mechanism of β-1,4-GalT-I in OA synovitis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Galactosyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Knee Joint ; enzymology ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Membrane ; enzymology ; Synovitis ; enzymology ; etiology

Oxygen is an important guarantee for the treatment of critically ill patients in public health emergencies,and its normal guarantee and supply have become the primary issue that every hospital needs to face and solve.The fundamental reasons for the shortage of oxygen supply in hospitals during the period of public health emergencies were explored by understanding the admission of critically ill patients and the supply of oxygen.Based on the actual needs of clinical medical treatment,it was found that the main reasons for insufficient oxygen supply were limited liquid oxygen storage capacity,reduced vaporization efficiency,small diameter of delivery pipe,throttling of secondary pressure reducing boxes,etc.It was recommended the limit requirement for the volume of medical liquid oxygen storage tanks be revised to 5m3.Hospitals can adjust and allocate according to actual medical needs,optimize the design and selection of vaporizers and pipeline systems,normalize and standardize the quality control and testing of medical gas systems,and when allowed by regulations and approved by clinical physicians,use oxygen-enriched air(93%oxygen)to supply oxygen to general wards,and provide more medical oxygen(≥99.5%)to critically ill patients who require life support.

Objective To investigate the status of infection and distribution of rabies virus (RV) in different epidemic areas in China. Methods Brain specimens from animals and suspected patients were collected at the districts of high-, medium- and low incidence rates of human rabies and detected by both direct Immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and RT-PCR. Results 254 of 3007 specimens of dog brains showed RV positive by DFA (positive rate of 8.4% ). Among these 254 samples, 78 showed positive (positive rate of 30.7% ) by RT-PCR. 93 specimens from dogs and cats that had attacked human beings, 63 of them showed positive by DFA (positive rate of 67.7%) and all of them were also positive by RT-PCR. In addition, RV could also be detected in Apodemus agrarius,ferret badger, and suspected patients specimens from the districts under survey. There was no statistical difference between the infection rates of RV in different provinces and regions with different incidence of rabies. Conclusion There might be a relatively high infection rate of RV among the domestic dogs/cats in the endemic areas in China. Wild animals might have been infected with RV in the districts under survey.