The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of Wenpi Pills(WPP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). The experiment was divided into two parts, using C57BL/6 mouse models induced by a high-fat diet(HFD) and a methionine and choline deficiency diet(MCD). The HFD-induced experiment lasted for 16 weeks, while the MCD-induced experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Mice in both parts were divided into four groups: control group, model group, low-dose WPP group(3.875 g·kg~(-1), WPP＿L), and high-dose WPP group(15.5 g·kg~(-1), WPP＿H). After sample collection from the HFD-induced mice, lipid content in the serum and liver, liver function indexes in the serum, and hepatic pathology were examined. Real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lipid-related genes. After sample collection from the MCD-induced mice, serum liver function indexes and inflammatory factors were measured, and hepatic pathology and lipid changes were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and widely targeted lipidomic profiling, respectively. The results from the HFD-induced experiment showed that, compared with the HFD group, WPP administration significantly reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), triglyceride(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) in the serum, with the WPP＿H group showing the most significant improvement. HE staining results indicated that, compared with the HFD group, WPP treatment improved the morphology of white adipocytes, reducing their size, and alleviated hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation. The qRT-PCR results suggested that WPP might increase the mRNA expression of liver cholesterol-converting genes, such as liver X receptor α(LXRα) and cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1(CYP27A1), as well as lipid consumption genes like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα) and adenosine mono-phosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK). Meanwhile, WPP decreased the mRNA expression of lipid synthesis genes, including fatty acid synthetase(FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c(SREBP-1c), thereby reducing liver lipid accumulation. The results from the MCD-induced experiment showed that, compared with the MCD group, WPP administration reduced the levels of ALT, AST, and inflammatory factors in the serum, thereby alleviating liver injury and the inflammatory response. HE staining of liver tissue indicated that WPP effectively improved hepatic steatosis. Non-targeted lipidomics analysis showed that WPP improved lipid metabolism disorders in the liver, mainly by affecting the metabolism of TG and cholesterol esters. In conclusion, WPP can improve hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice induced by both HFD and MCD. This beneficial effect is primarily achieved by alleviating liver injury and inflammation, as well as regulating lipid metabolism.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Methionine

Objective： The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods： The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results： Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62－24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16－17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12－3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion： For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pelvis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostatectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Factors ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic genes associated with lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD) in patients with gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas - Stomach Adenocarcinoma. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the key module genes associated with LDCD score. Candidate genes were identified by DEGs and key module genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the selection of prognostic genes, and risk module was established. Subsequently, key cells were identified in the single-cell dataset (GSE183904), and prognostic gene expression was analyzed. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the wound healing assay. RESULTS: A total of 4,465 DEGs, 95 candidate genes, and 4 prognostic genes, including C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18, were identified in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated the excellent predictive power of the risk model. Three key cell types (B cells, chief cells, and endothelial/pericyte cells) were identified in the GSE183904 dataset. C19orf59 and TNFAIP2 exhibited predominant expression in macrophage species, whereas TNFAIP2 evolved over time in endothelial/pericyte cells and chief cells. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with C19orf59 inhibited proliferation and migration in GC cells. CONCLUSION C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18 are prognostic genes associated with LDCD in GC. Furthermore, the risk model established in this study showed robust predictive power.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Lysosomes/physiology* ; RNA-Seq ; Cell Death ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Cell Proliferation ; Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality monitoring indicator system for blood quality control in blood banks, in order to analyze the quality control indicators for blood collection and supply, and evaluate blood quality control process, thus promoting continuous improvement and standardizing management of blood quality control in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation services, component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The Questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong, which clarified the definition and calculation formula of indicators. The quality monitoring indicator data from January to December 2022 in each blood bank were collected, and 20 quality control indicators data were analyzed by SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The average pass rate of key equipment monitoring, environment monitoring, key material monitoring, and blood testing item monitoring of 17 blood banks were 99.47%, 99.51%, 99.95% and 98.99%, respectively. Significant difference was noticed in the pass rate of environment monitoring among blood banks of varied scales(P<0.05), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the total number of blood quality testing items and the total amount of blood component preparation was 0.645 (P<0.05). The average discarding rates of blood testing or non-blood testing were 1.14% and 3.36% respectively, showing significant difference among blood banks of varied scales (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.07%, which had a positive correlation with the discarding rate of non testing (r=0.981 3, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the discarding rate of lipemic blood between blood banks with lipemic blood control measures and those without (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of abnormal color, non-standard volume, blood bag damage, hemolysis, blood protein precipitation and blood clotting were 0.20%, 0.14%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.02% and 0.02% respectively, showing statistically significant differences among large, medium and small blood banks(P<0.05).The average discarding rates of expired blood, other factors, confidential unit exclusion and unqualified samples were 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.003% and 0.004%, respectively. The discarding rate of blood with air bubbles was 0.015%, while that of blood with foreign body and unqualified label were 0. 【Conclusion】 The quality control indicator system of blood banks in Shandong can monitor weak points in process management, with good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness. It is conducive to evaluate different blood banks, continuously improve the quality control level of blood collection and supply, promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management, and lay the foundation for comprehensive evaluation of blood banks in Shandong.

ObjectiveTo establish a UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative method for the determination of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， glycolic acid， malic acid， lactic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in cosmetics. MethodsSamples were prepared by ultrasonic extraction， cleansed by precipitating reagent and followed by high-speed centrifugation of the extraction solution. The supernatant was filtered by 0.22 μm Millipore filter. The continued filtrate was taken for analysis. A reversed phase column， Poroshell 120 EC-C₁₈ （2.7 μm， 4.6 mm×1 000 mm） was used with 0.1% formic acid buffer and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under the condition of gradient elution. The analytes were detected with electrospray ionization source in negative ion mode （ESI^-） and multiple reactions monitoring （MRM）， and quantified by external standard curve. ResultsThe method showed a good linearity of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒2 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of glycolic acid， lactic acid， citric acid and mandelic acid within the concentration range of 100.0‒5 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of lactobionic acid and gluconic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒5 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The recoveries were in the range of 92.3%‒114.1%； the relative standard deviations （RSD） were in the range of 0.9%‒6.0% （n=3）. The detection limits of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid were 0.003% while the detection limits of glycolic acid， lactic acid and mandelic acid were 0.006%. In 10 batches of commercially available cosmetics， eight batches showed positive result. ConclusionThe UHPLC-MS/MS method is efficient， sensitive and accurate and is applicable to the determination of 13 α-hydroxy acidic components in cosmetics.

BACKGROUND:Medium-and large-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels have been widely used in clinical practice.However,most of the products were imported from other countries.Small-diameter porous polytetrafluoroethylene vessels are easy to form thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia,resulting in an extremely low long-term patency rate,which is difficult to fulfill clinical requirements. OBJECTIVE:To review and summarize the research progress of polytetrafluoroethylene in the field of artificial blood vessels,which can provide a reference for the functional modification of small-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels and the improvement of their long-term patency rate. METHODS:The relevant articles published from October 2022 to March 2023 in CNKI,Web of Science,Wiley Online Library,SpringerLink,Science Direct and IOP Science databases were searched by the first author.The search terms in Chinese were"porous polytetrafluoroethylene,vascular graft,electrospinning,medical application,functional modification".The search terms in English were"ePTFE,porous polytetrafluoroethylene,vascular graft,electrospinning,medical application,functional modification".All the articles about the preparation and modification of polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels were retrieved. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The preparation and functional modification of porous polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels were still research hotspots and difficult problems.From the research progress in and outside China in recent years,the preparation of porous polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels mainly adopted the rapid thermal stretching method,but the preparation of polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels by electrospinning was a promising new method.By analyzing and summarizing different functional modification methods,it was found that the long-term patency rate of porous polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels had been improved.However,the functional modification of small-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene artificial blood vessels still needed further exploration and optimization.

During the progression of heart failure(HF),abnormal transduction of the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smads signaling pathway is important mechanism of myocardial fibrosis(MF)in HF.TGF-β,a key factor in MF,is in an overexpression state in the process of MF in HF,and Smads is a major effector downstream of TGF-β.The TGF-β/Smads pathway induces abnormal proliferation of myofibroblasts,aggravates myocardial extracellular matrix deposition,and reduces the ability of the cardiac tissues to resist fibrosis,which plays a complex role in the pathogenesis of MF in HF.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the efficacy of unequivocal inhibiting myocardial collagen deposition,anti-MF,protecting the myocardium and improving cardiac function in the prevention and treatment of MF in HF and so on,and the TGF-β/Smads pathway is one of the key pathways through which TCM monomers,TCM combinations,and proprietary medicines can exert their cardioprotective effects on the HF.This paper reviews the existing experimental research results of TCM intervening in the TGF-β/Smads pathway for the treatment of MF in HF over the past 10 years,with a view to providing theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of HF MF well as the development and of new drugs.

With the continuous advancement of robot-assisted surgical system and the continuous accumulation of clinical experience of surgeons, robot-assisted surgical systems are becoming more and more widely used in the field of pancreatic surgery. Several studies have suggested that robot-assisted pancreatic surgery has significant advantages over traditional pancreatic surgery. The “ International consensus guidelines on robotic pancreatic surgery in 2023” provides more standardized guidance on the applicability and safety of robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery, and discusses in detail the indications, safety, learning curve, and related issues of robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy,and mid pancreatectomy. In addition, the application value of robot-assisted surgical systems in special patients was discussed, as well as the new technology of robot-assisted pancreaticointestinal anastomosis and the new concept of pancreatic duct repair surgery. This article interprets the guidelines based on the recommendations of the guidelines and the practical experience of the authors′ team in the field of robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery

Objective:To understand the status, evaluation methods and risk factors of economic toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer, in order to provide reference for the construction of follow-up intervention programs.Methods:This scoping review was conducted under the Joanna Briggs Institute in Australia guidelines. Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Chinese and English literature was screened and summarized from inception to September 21, 2023.Results:A total of 14 articles were included, and the economic toxicity of patients with head and neck cancer was more serious.The evaluation methods were mainly divided into scale evaluation and database data calculation. The risk factors of economic toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer included three aspects: demographic factors such as young age, low education and low income; disease and treatment-related factors such as tumor location in larynx/hypopharynx, current/past use of tube feeding, advanced tumor/distant metastasis; social support factors such as insufficient social security, and so on.Conclusions:Future studies should pay more attention to economic toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer, standardize the selection of assessment tools to reduce heterogeneity, and develop individualized intervention measures for the risk factors of economic toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer, in order to reduce the occurrence of economic toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer.