Objective:To explore the value of MR-cine for assessment of the duodenum peristalsis in the patients with functional dyspepsia.Methods:25 patients with functional dyspepsia were selected according to the diagnostic criteria of RomeⅢ of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)as case group and 25 cases of healthy volunteers who had been screened out in clinic were used as normal control group. After fasting for 8 h,supine position was performed.1.5TGEHDxMR was used to scan the coronal,axial and oblique coronal fast steady state precession (FIESTA)sequence of gastric and duodenal descending part.The images of 5 and 15 min after drinking 600 mL mannitol solution (concentration 2.5%)were collected and sent to MR AW4.4 workstation.The duodenal motility in the patients with functional dyspepsia was measured by recording the times of duodenum and measuring and calculating the percentage occlusion of duodenum contractions (PDC). Results:After drinking mannitol, the oblique coronal scan of all subj ects clearly displayed the anatomical structure and peristaltic wave of descending part of duodenum. After drinking 5 and 1 5 min of mannitol,the peristaltic wave frequencies in case group were lower than those in normal control group. The descending duodenum PDC of the patients in case group was significantly lower than that in normal control group (P<0.01)5 min after drinking. The PDC in normal control group 15 min after drinking was lower than 5 min (P<0.05);the duodenal PDC 15 min after drinking of mannitol had no statistical difference between case group and normal control group (P>0.05).Conclusion:MR-cine can evaluate preliminarly the duodenum peristalsis of the patients with functional dyspepsia. The diagnosis of FGIDs can be further studied by using the noninvasive MR-cine examination technique.

0.05). The peak of NAA was significantly different between high grade glioma and metastatic carcinoma(P0.05). The peak of AA was characteristic of brain abscess. The ratio of Cho/Cr0 in brain abscess was significantly lower than those in high grade glioma and metastatic carcinoma(P

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) in the diagnosis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) by measuring the expression level of serum ATG7 in patients with HBV-HCC. Methods A total of 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 89 patients with HCC who were hospitalized in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from June 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled, among whom 67 patients had HBV-HCC (HBV-HCC group) and 22 patients had no HBV-HCC (non-HBV-HCC group), and 20 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination were enrolled as healthy control (HC) group. Demographic data and laboratory data including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were collected from each group, and ELISA was used to measure the serum level of ATG7. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was plotted for ATG7 and AFP used alone or in combination, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; a Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate correlation. Results The serum level of ATG7 was 22.88(19.79-23.04) ng/mL in the HBV-HCC group, 17.06(14.45-19.40) ng/mL in the non-HBV-HCC group, 19.21(16.65-20.82) ng/mL in the CHB group, and 13.82(8.70-17.82) ng/mL in the HC group, with a significant difference between groups ( χ 2 =65.144, P < 0.001). ATG7 had an AUC of 0.818 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.743-0.879) and AFP had an AUC of 0.777 (95% CI : 0.698-0.843) in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC, suggesting that ATG7 had a slightly higher AUC than AFP ( Z =0.852, P =0.394). ATG7 combined with AFP had an AUC of 0.859 (95% CI : 0.790-0.913) in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC, which was significantly higher than the AUC of ATG7 alone ( Z =2.192, P =0.028) and AFP alone ( Z =2.076, P =0.038). Conclusion ATG7 is a good marker for the diagnosis of HBV-HCC, and combined measurement of ATG7 and AFP can significantly improve the diagnostic rate for HBV-HCC.

Objective To evalute the clinical application of the new technique of instantaneous wave intensity(WI) through the correlative analysis of instantaneous acceleration wave intensity(W1) and Tei index. Methods The correlation of the intensity of W1 (the apogee of W1) and Tei index of 66 healthy adults were analyzed by Prosound a10 color Doppler ultrasonograph. Results There were positive correlations in pressure and caliber between the common carotid arteries of both sides in 66 cases of healthy adults (P <0.01). There were negative correlations respectively between the pressure of W1 of left and right common carotid arteries and Tei index (P <0.05),and there were the same in caliber (P <0.01), mean pressure (P <0.05) and mean caliber (P <0.01). Conclusions W1 is negatively correlated with Tei index and can be an index in judging the systolic function.

Objectives: To examine the influence of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical resection on the survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC) and to identify patients who may benefit from it. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 654 patients with ICC diagnosed by postoperative pathology from December 2011 to December 2017 at 13 hospitals in China were collected retrospectively. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,455 patients were included in this study,including 69 patients (15.2%) who received adjuvant chemotherapy and 386 patients (84.8%) who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. There were 278 males and 177 females,with age of 59 (16) years (M(IQR))(range:23 to 88 years). Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to balance the difference between adjuvant chemotherapy group and non-adjuvant chemotherapy group. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve,the Log-rank test was used to compare the difference of overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival(RFS)between the two groups. Univariate analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were then performed for prognostic factors with P<0.10 to identify potential independent risk factors. The study population were stratified by included study variables and the AJCC staging system,and a subgroup analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to explore the potential benefit subgroup population of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: After 1∶1 PSM matching,69 patients were obtained in each group. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). After PSM,Cox multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (HR=3.06,95%CI:1.52 to 6.16,P=0.039),width of resection margin (HR=0.56,95%CI:0.32 to 0.99,P=0.044) and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=0.51,95%CI:0.29 to 0.91,P=0.022) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median OS time of adjuvant chemotherapy group was significantly longer than that of non-adjuvant chemotherapy group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in RFS time between the adjuvant chemotherapy group and the non-adjuvant chemotherapy group (P>0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that,the OS of female patients,without HBV infection,carcinoembryonic antigen<9.6 μg/L,CA19-9≥200 U/ml,intraoperative bleeding<400 ml,tumor diameter>5 cm,microvascular invasion negative,without lymph node metastasis,and AJCC stage Ⅲ patients could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy can prolong the OS of patients with ICC after radical resection,and patients with tumor diameter>5 cm,without lymph node metastasis,AJCC stage Ⅲ,and microvascular invasion negative are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of antiretrovirals on cardiovascular function and some biochemical indexes in gestational female rats. Methods: Nineteen 9-week-old female and six 10-week-old male SD rats were divided into normal control group (CON) and highly active antiretroviral therapy group (HARRT), 9/10 female rats and 3 male rats were combined into one cage, totally 2 cages. Female rats in CON group were intragastrically given with normal saline (NS, 10 ml/kg) every morning and evening, while female rats in HARRT group were treated with equal volume antiretrovirals (AZT 31.25 mg/kg + 3TC 15.63 mg/kg + LPV/r (41.67/10.42) mg/kg) for 3 months. The body weight and survival rate of female rats were recorded. Echocardiography and multichannel physiological recorder were used to detect arterial blood pressure and cardiac hemodynamic parameters. The levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, myocardial enzymes and liver enzymes were detected by corresponding kits. Myocardial collagen fibers were observed by Masson staining and the ultrastructure of myocardial cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: All female rats in CON group survived (9/9), while only 6 rats in HARRT group survived (6/10). Compared with CON group, the body weight of female rats in HAART group was decreased significantly(P＜0.01); the levels of left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDd), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), thickness of left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWT) , left atrial diameter (LAD) and arterial diastolic pressure were increased significantly (P＜0.05); the level of LVP+dP/dtmax was decreased (P＜0.01). The levels of triglyceride, creatine kinase, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while the level of glucose was increased (P＜0.05). The collagen fibers were increased in myocardial tissue, and ultrastructure of myocardial cells was abnormal. Conclusion: Antiretrovirals during gestation can cause cardiovascular diseases in female rats.
Animals ; Anti-Retroviral Agents/adverse effects* ; Body Weight ; Cardiotoxicity ; Collagen ; Female ; Myocytes, Cardiac/ultrastructure* ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

We have discovered and synthesized a series of indole-based derivatives as novel sigma-2 (σ ₂) receptor ligands. Two ligands with high σ ₂ receptor affinity and subtype selectivity were then radiolabeled with F-18 in good radiochemical yields and purities, and evaluated in rodents. In biodistribution studies in male ICR mice, radioligand [¹⁸F]9, or 1-(4-(5,6-dimethoxyisoindolin-2-yl)butyl)-4-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethoxy)-1H-indole, was found to display high brain uptake and high brain-to-blood ratio. Pretreatment of animals with the selective σ ₂ receptor ligand CM398 led to significant reductions in both brain uptake (29%-54%) and brain-to-blood ratio (60%-88%) of the radioligand in a dose-dependent manner, indicating high and saturable specific binding of [¹⁸F]9 to σ ₂ receptors in the brain. Further, ex vivo autoradiography in male ICR mice demonstrated regionally heterogeneous specific binding of [¹⁸F]9 in the brain that is consistent with the distribution pattern of σ ₂ receptors. Dynamic positron emission tomography imaging confirmed regionally distinct distribution and high levels of specific binding for [¹⁸F]9 in the rat brain, along with appropriate tissue kinetics. Taken together, results from our current study indicated the novel radioligand [¹⁸F]9 as the first highly specific and promising imaging agent for σ ₂ receptors in the brain.

Background Natural pyrethrins have long been widely used in the fields of environmental and household hygiene. Studies have reported that natural pyrethrins have potential liver toxicity, but their specific mechanisms are still unclear yet. Objective To explore the effect of natural pyrethrins on DNA damage in human liver cells. Methods This study used human liver cell QSG7701 as an in vitro testing model. After exposure to DMSO and a series of concentrations of natural pyrethrins (5, 10, 20, and 40 μg·mL⁻¹) for 6 and 24 h, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by fluorescence microscopy using a fluorescence probe, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) by colorimetric method using a microplate reader, DNA damage by comet assay through observing DNA fragment migration under microscope, and phospho H2AX (γH2AX) and 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) by immunofluorescence assay using a laser confocal microscope. Results As the exposure concentration of natural pyrethrins increased, the fluorescence intensity of ROS significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The differences in ROS between the 10 μg·mL⁻¹ and above groups and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.01), and the ROS levels in the 20 μg·mL⁻¹ and 40 μg·mL⁻¹ treatment groups were 2.17 and 3.05 times higher than that in the control group respectively. The TBARS level increased in a concentration-dependent manner in natural pyrethrins treated cells (P<0.01), and the levels in the 20 μg·mL⁻¹ and 40 μg·mL⁻¹ treatment groups were 2.46 and 3.01 times higher than that in the control group respectively. The results of comet assay showed trailing formation of cellular DNA in each dose group; as the exposure concentration of natural pyrethrins increased, indicators such as tail DNA content (TDNA%), tail length (TL), tail moment (TM), and Olive tail moment (OTM) increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, the differences in the indicators between the 20 μg·mL⁻¹ and above groups and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.01), especially in the 40 μg·mL⁻¹ treatment groups, where TDNA%, TL, TM, and OTM were (46.92 ± 3.52) %, (64.67± 4.16) μm, 30.96 ± 2.94, and 22.64 ± 3.89, respectively. The cellular immunofluorescence results showed that natural pyrethrins induced the formation of γH2AX and 8-oxoG, the fluorescence intensities of γH2AX and 8-oxoG increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and the differences between the 10 μg·mL⁻¹ and above groups and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Natural pyrethrins could induce DNA damage in human liver cells, and ROS-mediated oxidative stress may play an important role in its liver cell genotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a 48-week course of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) plus Chinese medicine (CM) therapy, namely Tiaogan Jianpi Hexue () and Tiaogan Jiedu Huashi () fomulae, in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 605 HBeAg-positive Chinese CHB patients were screened and 590 eligible participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups in 1:1 ratio including experimental group (EG, received ADV plus CM) and control group (CG, received ADV plus CM-placebo) for 48 weeks. The major study outcomes were the rates of HBeAg and HBV-DNA loss on week 12, 24, 36, 48, respectively. Secondary endpoints including liver functions (enzymes and bilirubin readings) were evaluated every 4 weeks at the beginning of week 24, 36, and 48. Routine blood, urine, and stool analyses in addition to electrocardiogram and abdominal B scan were monitored as safety evaluations. Adverse events (AEs) were documented. RESULTS: The combination therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg loss at 48 weeks, without additional AEs. The full analysis population was 560 and 280 in each group. In the EG, population achieved HBeAg loss on week 12, 24, 36, and 48 were 25 (8.90%), 34 (12.14%), 52 (18.57%), and 83 (29.64%), respectively; the equivalent numbers in the CG were 20 (7.14%), 41 (14.64%), 54 (19.29%), and 50 (17.86%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between these group values on week 48 (P<0.01). No additional AEs were found in EG. Subgroup analysis suggested different outcomes among treatment patterns. CONCLUSION Combination of CM and ADV therapy demonstrated superior HBeAg clearance compared with ADV monotherapy. The finding indicates that this combination therapy may provide an improved therapeutic effect and safety profile (ChiCTR-TRC-11001263).
Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organophosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult