Objective To develop a candidate reference method for the measurement of progesterone in human serum.Methods The serum sample is mixed with the internal standard [3,4-~(13)C_2] progesterone.After extraction with n-hexane and purified by a aqueous solution of 2-Hydroxypropyl-?- cyclodextrin (HP-?-CD),the serum progesterone and labeled progesterone are converted to the 3-enol heptafluorobutyrate and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with selected ion monitoring.The concentration of serum progesterone is calculated by bracketing method.Results The results gave coefficients of variation (CVs) of 0.69% to 2.12%.The analytical recoveries ranged from 98.3% to 100.1%.The results of measuring certified reference materials of serum progesterone are agree with the target value.Conclusion The procedure for measuring progesterone in serum is a highly accurate and precise method and may be used as a candidate reference method for serum progesterone assays.

A quantitative analytical method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was developed for simultaneously determining twelve components in Tibetan medicine Zuozhu Daxi. SIMPCA 12.0 software was used a principal component analysis PCA) and partial small squares analysis (PLSD-DA) on the twelve components in 10 batches from four pharmaceutical factories. Acquity UPLC BEH C15 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) was adopted at the column temperature of 35 °C and eluted with acetonitrile (A) -0.05% phosphate acid solution (B) as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 0. 3 mL · min(-1). The injection volume was 1 µL. The detection wavelengths were set at 210 nm for alantolactone, isoalantolactone and oleanolic; 260 nm for trychnine and brucine; 288 nm for protopine; 306 nm for protopine, resveratrol and piperine; 370 nm for quercetin and isorhamnetin. The results showed a good separation among index components, with a good linearity relationship (R2 = 0.999 6) within the selected concentration range. The average sample recovery rates ranged between 99.44%-101.8%, with RSD between 0.37%-1.7%, indicating the method is rapid and accurate with a good repeatability and stability. The PCA and PLSD-DA analysis on the sample determination results revealed a great difference among samples from different pharmaceutical factories. The twelve components included in this study contributed significantly to the quantitative determination of intrinsic quality of Zuozhu Daxi. The UPLC established for to the quantitative determination of the twelve components can provide scientific basis for the comprehensive quality evaluation of Zuozhu Daxi.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of long-term application of Shengmai Capsule (SMC) on recovery of patients after myocardial infarction.

METHODSA total of 120 myocardial infarction patients were: assigned into two groups. Changes of angina pectoris, electrocardiogram (ECG), living capacity and heart function in patients were observed after 6-month treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in alleviating angina: pectoris was 90.0% and that in improving ECG figure was 93.3% in the treatment group, both were significantly higher than those in the control group, 73.4% and 70.0% respectively (P<0.05). The Karnofsky Performance Status scores of heart function were increased and the Activity of Daily Living scores in living capacity decreased in both groups, but the improvements were better in the treatment group (P<0.01 and P<0.05). The parameters of cardiac function, including cardiac output, stroke volume, cardiac index and ejection fraction, were increased in both groups, but the increments in the treatment group were more significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLong-term application of SMC could effectively prevent and treat angina pectoris, improve the living capacity and accelerate the recovery of heart function in patients after myocardial infarction.

Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Quality of Life

Objective: To determine the efficacy of eltrombopag for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults and the predictive factors for treatment-free response (TFR) . Methods: Clinical data of adults with ITP who received eltrombopag from June 14, 2013 to May 31, 2021 in the Hematology Department of Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. The initial dose of eltrombopag was 25 mg/d, and the maximum dose was 75 mg/d; the dose was adjusted to maintain the platelet count to within 50-150×10(9)/L. Treatment was discontinued according either to the protocol, on the patient's wishes or doctor's judgment (prescription medication), or based on clinical trials. The efficacy of eltrombopag and factors for TFR among patients who achieved complete response and those who discontinued treatment were analyzed. Results: Overall, 106 patients with ITP (33 men and 73 women) were included in the study. The median age of patients was 50 (18-89) years. There were 2, 10, and 94 cases of newly diagnosed, persistent, and chronic ITP, respectively. The complete response rate was 44.3% (47/106), the response rate was 34.0% (36/106), and the overall response rate was 78.3% (83/106). Meanwhile, 83 patients who responded to treatment discontinued eltrombopag; of these, 81 patients were evaluated. Additionally, 17 patients (21.0%) achieved TFR. The median follow-up duration of patients who achieved TFR was 126 (30-170) weeks. The recurrence rate was 17.6% (3/17), and the relapse-free survival rate was 76.5%. The results of univariate analysis revealed that non-recurrence after discontinuation of other treatments for ITP (P=0.001), and platelet count and eltrombopag dose of ≥100×10(9)/L (P=0.007) and ≤25 mg/d (P=0.031), respectively, upon discontinuation of eltrombopag were predictors of TFR; these effects were attributed to prolonged effective duration of eltrombopag. Multivariate analysis showed that there was a correlation between non-recurrence and prolonged effective duration after discontinuation of other treatments for ITP (P=0.002) . Conclusion: Eltrombopag is effective for patients with ITP as it can result in TFR. Predictors for TFR include non-recurrence after discontinuation of concomitant ITP treatment, and platelet count and eltrombopag dose of ≥100 × 10(9)/L and ≤25 mg/d upon discontinuation of treatment, respectively.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; China/epidemiology* ; Benzoates/therapeutic use*

BACKGROUNDThe clinical significance of ischemic chest pain before acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains an interesting issue of investigation particularly in the era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to assess the impact of angina prior to STEMI on short-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

METHODSAmong a total of 875 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, 292 had episodes of angina within 24 hours of STEMI (PA group) and the remaining 583 were free of anginal symptoms (non-PA group). Clinical characteristics, angiographic and procedural features, and in-hospital and 30-day outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSDiabetes was less common (17.5% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.04) and symptom-to-door time was shortened ((191.6 ± 96.8) minutes vs. (357.2 ± 341.9) minutes, P < 0.001) in the PA group than in the non-PA group. Patients with angina prior to STEMI had fewer totally or nearly totally occluded infarct-related artery (TIMI flow grade 0 - 1) at initial angiography (75.0% vs. 90.7%, P < 0.001), and achieved more TIMI flow grade 3 after primary PCI (84.2% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.04). These were associated with higher rates of overall procedural success (95.9% vs. 91.8%, P = 0.02) and of complete ST-segment resolution at 90 minutes after the procedure (51.7% vs. 40.3%, P = 0.001). During a 30-day clinical follow-up, the left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved ((53.0 ± 8.6)% vs. (51.1 ± 9.7)%, P = 0.002) and the primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events was reduced in the PA group (7.2% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPresence of angina prior to acute STEMI is associated with better outcome at a 30-day clinical follow-up in patients undergoing primary PCI.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; therapy ; Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; physiopathology ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Angiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Prospective Studies

Background::Hyperthermia in combination with DnaJA4-knockout (KO) obviously affects the anti-viral immunity of HaCaT cells. The mechanisms of this process are not yet fully explored. However, it is known that DnaJA4 interacts with actin cytoskeleton after hyperthermia. Our aim was to investigate the effects of DnaJA4 on F-actin in HaCaT cells following hyperthermia.Methods::Wild-type (WT) and DnaJA4-KO HaCaT cells were isolated at either 37°C (unheated) or 44°C (hyperthermia) for 30 min followed by testing under conditions of 37°C and assessing at 6, 12, and 24 h after hyperthermia. The cytoskeleton was observed with immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of F-actin and relevant pathway protein.Results::DnaJA4-KO and hyperthermia changed the cytoskeleton morphology of HaCaT cells. F-actin expression levels were elevated in DnaJA4-KO cells compared with WT cells (6364.33 ± 989.10 vs. 4272.67 ± 918.50, P < 0.05). In response to hyperthermia, F-actin expression levels of both WT and DnaJA4-KO cells showed a tendency to decrease followed by an obvious recovery after hyperthermia (WT cells: unheated vs. 6 h after hyperthermia or 24 h after hyperthermia: 0.34 ± 0.02 vs. 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.31 ± 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.05; DnaJA4-KO cells: unheated vs. 6 h after hyperthermia or 24 h after hyperthermia: 0.44 ± 0.01 vs. 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.51 ± 0.02, P < 0.001, P < 0.01). WT cells restored to baseline levels observed in the unheated condition, while DnaJA4-KO cells exceeded baseline levels in the recovery. As the upstream factors of F-actin, a similar profile in rho-associated serine/threonine kinase 1 (ROCK 1) and RhoA expressions was observed after hyperthermia. While E-cadherin expression was decreased in response to hyperthermia, it was increased in DnaJA4-KO cells compared with WT cells. Conclusions::Hyperthermia affects the expression levels of F-actin in HaCaT cells. DnaJA4 knockout increases the expression of F-actin in HaCaT cells after hyperthermia. DnaJA4 regulates the expressions of F-actin and the related pathway proteins in response to hyperthermia in HaCaT cells.

Adolescent ; Duodenum ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome ; surgery

ObjectiveTo investigate the serum level of ceruloplasmin in patients with different stages and etiologies of liver diseases. MethodsA total of 1077 patients with liver diseases who were hospitalized in Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, from January 2012 to January 2018 were enrolled, and the serum level of ceruloplasmin was analyzed for the patients with different liver diseases. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the level of ceruloplasmin between the patients with virus-related liver diseases with different liver functional states, and a Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of ceruloplasmin with other biomarkers. ResultsIn the Wilson’s disease group, 97.6% (41/42) of the patients had a serum ceruloplasmin level of ＜0.2 g/L and 881% (37/42) had a level of ＜0.1 g/L. In the non-Wilson’s disease group, 24.3% (251/1035) of the patients had a ceruloplasmin level of ＜0.2 g/L and 0.2% had a level of ＜0.1 g/L. There was a significant difference in the serum level of ceruloplasmin between the patients with virus-related liver diseases with different liver functional states, and the patients with chronic viral hepatitis, severe viral hepatitis, and viral hepatitis cirrhosis had a significantly lower level than those with acute viral hepatitis and virus-related liver cancer (P=0005, P＜0.001, P=0.001, P=0.027, P＜0.001, and P=0.001). In the patients without Wilson’s disease, serum ceruloplasmin was positively correlated with albumin and prealbumin (r=0.068 and 0.091, both P＜0.05) and was negatively correlated with prothrombin time (r=-0.297, P＜0.05). ConclusionCeruloplasmin often decreases significantly in patients with Wilson’s disease, with a slight reduction in patients with other types of liver diseases. For these patients, it should be determined whether the reduction in ceruloplasmin is caused by hepatocyte injury or the presence of Wilson’s disease.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) treatment for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients during the perioperative period. Methods: Adult ITP patients who were refractory to first-line glucocorticoid therapy and underwent selective surgery were enrolled to be treated with rhTPO at the dosage of 1.5×10(4)U/d subcutaneously during the perioperative period. rhTPO treatment would not be terminated until one of the following conditions occurred: ①Platelet counts met the requirement of surgery; ②Platelet counts were ≥100×10(9)/L; ③Completed the 14 days of therapy. End points of the study were surgery rate, rhTPO therapy response rate, rescue therapy rate and adverse responses. Results: 42 patients were enrolled from Jan. 1, 2016 to Jun. 30, 2018. 14 were male and 28 were female. The median age was 60 (25-73) years old. There were no newly diagnosed patients. 5 patients were persistent and 37 were chronic. 27 patients completed selective surgery. The surgery rate was 64.3% (27/42) . Among them, 13 patients were under local anesthesia and 14 under general anesthesia. Of 42 cases receiving rhTPO therapy. 31 patients achieved responses, The overall response rate was of 73.8%. Among them, 24 patients achieved CR. The CR ratio was 77.4% (24/31) . 7 achieved response. The response ratio was 22.6% (7/31) . 11 patients did not respond to rhTPO therapy. The non-response rate was 26.2% (11/42) . The median time to reach CR was 7 (3-16) days. The median time to reach the peak of platelet counts were 10 (3-21) days. rhTPO was used for a median of 7 (3-14) days. The median platelet counts of patients undergoing surgery before rhTPO therapy, before surgery and at day 7 after surgery were 33 (20-89) ×10(9)/L, 125 (78-245) ×10(9)/L and 72 (30-250) ×10(9)/L, respectively. The median peak of platelet counts was 149 (101-466) ×10(9)/L. No infection, bleeding, thromboembolism and therapy-related adverse responses occurred in the patients. Conclusion: rhTPO for ITP patients during the perioperative period is safe and effective.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/drug therapy* ; Recombinant Proteins ; Thrombopoietin/therapeutic use*