OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Brucella orchitis, so as to provide reliable evidence for the prevention and treatment of the disease.

METHODSWe conducted retrospective statistical analyses on the medical records of 48 outpatients and 21 inpatients with Brucella orchitis.

RESULTSBrucella orchitis was diagnosed in 6.67% of the male patients with brucellosis (69/1 034). The disease exhibited typical epidemiological features, with a higher incidence rate among those in frequent contact with sheep and elderly people, in the period from April to July, and in the areas with sheep husbandry. All the Brucella orchitis patients had such local symptoms as testicular pain and swelling, more frequently involving both testes, and other most common symptoms included fever, chills, sweating, and painful joints. Based on IIEF-5, 45 of the patients suffered from severe erectile dysfunction, with their reproductive function temporarily affected in the course of the disease. Misdiagnosis easily occurred in the early stage of the disease. Therapeutic options mainly included doxycycline hydrochloride and rifampicin, administered orally or intravenously, which could effect a cure, though relapse might occur in some cases.

CONCLUSIONBru- cella orchitis has distinct epidemiological characteristics, with clinical manifestations of testicular pain and swelling. Though a transient disease, it affects the reproductive function of the patient before cured. It can be treated by combined oral and intravenous medication, with painkillers or ice bags for testicular pain and swelling.

Animals ; Brucella ; pathogenicity ; Brucellosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Orchitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sheep

Objective:To establish an HPLC method for the determination of norisoboldine in Suoquan capsules. Methods: The chromatographic procedure with acetonitrile-water containing 0. 5% folic acid and 0. 1% triethylamine (10∶90) as the mobile phase was carried out on an Ecosil C18 HPLC(150 mm ×4.6 mm,5 μm). The flow rate was at 1.0 ml·min-1, the detection wavelength was 280nm and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Results: The linear range of norisoboldine was within 38. 56-578. 40 ng ( r =0. 999 2), the average recovery of norisoboldine was 99. 9%(RSD=1. 7%, n=6). Conclusion:The method is highly sensitive, re-liable and accurate, and can be applied in the determination of Suoquan capsules.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious disease caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which has led to serious worldwide economic burden. Due to the continuous emergence of variants, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are only partial effective against infections caused by distinct strains of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it is still of great importance to call for the development of broad-spectrum and effective small molecule drugs to combat both current and future outbreaks triggered by SARS-CoV-2. Cathepsin L (CatL) cleaves the spike glycoprotein (S) of SARS-CoV-2, playing an indispensable role in enhancing virus entry into host cells. Therefore CatL is one of the ideal targets for the development of pan-coronavirus inhibitor-based drugs. In this study, a CatL enzyme inhibitor screening model was established based on fluorescein labeled substrate. Two CatL inhibitors IMB 6290 and IMB 8014 with low cytotoxicity were obtained through high-throughput screening, the half inhibition concentrations (IC₅₀) of which were 11.53 ± 0.68 and 1.56 ± 1.10 μmol·L^-1, respectively. SDS-PAGE and cell-cell fusion experiments confirmed that the compounds inhibited the hydrolysis of S protein by CatL in a concentration-dependent manner. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection showed that both compounds exhibited moderate binding affinity with CatL. Molecular docking revealed the binding mode between the compound and the CatL active pocket. The pseudovirus experiment further confirmed the inhibitory effects of IMB 8014 on the S protein mediated entry process. In vitro pharmacokinetic evaluation indicated that the compounds had relatively good drug-likeness properties. Our research suggested that these two compounds have the potential to be further developed as antiviral drugs for COVID-19 treatment.

One new dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-N-methyl Glu-L-N-methyl Glu) (1), together with one new natural dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-methyl Glu ester) (2), and two known dicyclopeptides cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-Glu) (3), and cyclo-(L-Glu-L-Glu) (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Dianthus chinensis L. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods.
Dianthus ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

AIM:To synthesize the human platelet factor-4(hPF4) gene with a convenient and effective approach, and high express the hPF4 gene in E. coli BL21 (DE3). METHODS: According to the primary structure of hPF4, the nucleotide sequence was synthesized using touch-down PCR method. The resultant gene fragment containing EcoR Ⅰ and Xho Ⅰ overhangs at 5' and 3' ends was cloned into the expression vector pGEX-4T-1 to construct the recombinant plasmid pGEX-4T-1-hPF4,which was then transformed into the E. coli strain BL21 (DE3). RESULTS: hPF4 gene was successfully synthesized by touchdown PCR method. A fusion protein composed of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the recombinant hPF4 was expressed in BL21(DE3) by IPTG induction. The expression level of the fusion protein in E. coli was about 30% of the total cellular protein. CONCLUSION: Touch-down PCR may provide a convenient and effective approach to obtain other target genes. The expressed fusion protein forms the inclusion bodies, providing sufficient material for further purification and biological activities process.

Background Scarring of the filtering bleb is a main cause of filtering surgical failure in glaucoma.It has been reposed that tetrandrine could suppress the proliferation of cultured human fibroblast of Tenons capsule in vitro and thus has the potential effect to prevent scarring after the filtering surgery. Objective Present study was to investigate the anti-cicatricial effect of tetrandrine drug delivery system(Tet DDS)during filtration surgery. Methods Filtration surgery was performed in bilateral eyes of 18 New Zealand white rabbits.The Tet DDS with 0.3 mg Tet,0.2 mg Tet or free-Tet were implanted subcunjunctially during the surgery.The filtering blebs were scored in 1 day,4,7,10,14 days after referring to the corneal thickness and bleb range under the slit-lamp biomicroscopy.The morphology of filtering bleb was assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy in 7 and 14 days after operation.The filtering bleb specimen was prepared in 7 and 14 days for the histopathological examination. Results The filtering bleb scores in Tet DDS implantation groups were significantly higher than those in free-Tet DDS group from 4 days through 14 days after trabeculectomy(P＜0.01),and the scores showed a considerably increase in 0.3 mg Tet DDS group compared with 0.2 mg Tet DDS group from 7 days through 14 days after trabeculectomy(P＜0.05).The filtering blebs of Tet DDS implantation groups were found with distinct subepithelial cystic spaces under the light microscopy and in vivo confocal microscopy on the 7th day and 14th day after surgery.Compared with free-Tet DDS group,the numbers of subepithelial mierocysts were much more(P＜0.01)and the area of microcysts was larger(P＜0.01)in Tet DDS group.The filtering tissue presented with more subepithelial microcysts and larger microcysts range in 0.3 mg Tet DDS group than 0.2 mg Tet DDS group in 7 and 14 days after operation(P＜0.05).The inflammatory cell infiltration wag milder in 0.3 mg Tet DDS group in comparison with 0.2 mg Tet DDS group and free-Ted DDS group.Conclusion Tet DDS has strong inhibitory effects on inflammatory cells activity and fibroblagt activity the early stage after filtering surgery and therefore improve the surgery success rate.

Objective To explore the risk factors in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus with cerebral infarction. Methods Retrospective investigarion was performed on 148 elderly hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes.The patients were classified based on the presence or absence of cerebral infarction and compared with 60 controls.Logis- tic regression analysis was used to reveal the risk factors for cerebral infarction.Results The levels of systolic blood pressure(SBP),body mass index (BMI),fasting blood glucose (FBG),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG) and plasma fibrinogen(Fg) were higher in the patients with cerebral infarction[141.15?17.46)mmHg,(23.81?3.53)kg/m~2,(8.82?2.81)mmol/L,(5.69?1.15)mmol/L,(2.08?0.75)mmol/L and (4.08?0.65)g/L] than those without cerebral infarction[(129.78?14.65) mmHg,(22.18?3.22)kg/m~2,(7.06?1.72 )mmol/L,(5.09?1.12)mmol/L,(1.62?0.43)mmol/L and (3.48?0.58)g/L].The logistic analysis showed COUR,SBP,FBG, TC,TG and Fg were the independent risk factors for cerebral infarction.Conclusion Early intervention of the inde- pendent risk factors including SBP,FBG,TC,TG and Fg in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was important for reduction and postponement of cerebral infarction.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotyping, differential diagnoses and prognosis of histiocytic sarcoma (HS).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic findings of 4 cases of HS were reviewed. The samples were used for paraffin section, HE stain, immunohistochemistry stain by EnVision method, electron microscope observation. Follow-up information was available in all patients.

RESULTSThe age of patients, 2 males and 2 females, ranged from 22 to 65 years old (median, 43.25 years). The sites of involvement included lymph node (2 cases), skin or soft tissue (1 case) and colon (1 case). The tumor cells were widespread infiltration, diffused distribution, no adhesion to each other. Tumor cells were middling and large, round, orbicular-ovate, polygon, epithelium appearance, plentiful cytoplasm and acidophilia, cystose. Nucelus was round, orbicular-ovate, dissymmetry. Nuclear chromatin was vacuole appearance, basophilia nucleolus, caryocinesia and pathological mitotic figure. Three of the cases showed conjugate nuclei, increased pleomorphism with multinucleated tumor giant cell formation. Focal cytoplasmic with foamy appearance was identified in 2 cases. One case demonstrated foci of spindly sarcomatoid appearance. Hemophagocytosis was identified in 2 cases. The tumor cells of 4 cases were often accompanied by various numbers of inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical study showed that all cases were diffusely positive for α-1-ACT, CD68, CDl63 and lysozyme. Three of 4 cases also expressed CD45, CD45RO. The electron microscope results of 4 cases showed that the tumor cells were plentiful cytoplasm and a few cytolysosome in the cytoplasm, and no birbeck cytorrhyctes, cell-cell junction and digitation. Amongst the 4 patients with follow-up information available, three died of the disease 6-13 months after diagnosis. One patient, whose lesion was localized at the skin and soft tissue, survived at the present time.

CONCLUSIONHS was a scarce malignant tumor with mature histiocyte morphology and immunophenotype character. The diagnosis should be based on tissue morphology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscope observation to exclude other disorders.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Histiocytes ; pathology ; Histiocytic Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To establish the cat models of acute morphine dependence, and explore the etiopathogenesis by investigating its electrophysiology and pathology changes of its brain tissue to provide pathological and electrophysiological evidences for clinical treatment. Methods Twelve cats were randomly divided into control group (n=3) and morphine dependent group (n=9); cats in the morphine dependent group were induced by injection of morphine hydrochloride in a daily increased manner, and at the same time, cats in the control group were injected physiological saline. After the success of model making, EEG was performed on the cortex, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens in cats of the 2 groups; the changes of every encephalic region and pituitary gland were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. Results Morphine dependent cat models were successfully established. EEG indicated that physiological waves decreased and pathological waves appeared frequently in cats of the morphine dependent group as compared with those in the normal ones.Physiological examinations showed that the neuronal degeneration, organelle reduction, mitochondria swelling, chromatin margination and karyopycnosis or even nuclear necrosis occurred in the cortex of every encephalic region. Conclusion Pathological changes and brain damages will appear under EEG after long-term use of morphine, which is intimately related to neuron ultramicrostructure changes.