OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effects of punicosides on alcohol induced acute liver injury in mice and its possible mechanisms as well.

METHODThe 60 mice were randomly divided into normal control, model group, three dose groups of punicosides with low, medium and high, then there is silibinin group. Three dose groups of punicosides and silibinin were given in advance by gavage for 4 weeks, then the mouse model of alcoholic acute liver injury was established. The serum levels of ALT, AST and TG were determined, and the mice were killed to calculate somatic index of liver, thymus as well as spleen. MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-ST were detected in the liver homogenate. Histopathological changes of the liver were observed by HE staining. The expression of MCP-1 and NF-kappaB in the liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTMid and high dose of punicosides reduced the liver index in mice significantly, improved liver steatosis, decreased the level of ALT, AST and TG in serum and the content of MDA in liver homogenate, furthermore the two dose groups increased the activity of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-ST, inhibited the expression of MCP-1 and NF-kappaB in liver tissue.

CONCLUSIONPunicosides can protect the acute liver damage induced by alcohol.

Alcohols ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism

Objective:To validate the predictive function of Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) score on large vessel occlusion (LVO) in Chinese population.Methods:The information about the patients who had the disease onset within 24 hours, were treated in the Emergency Department of Jinling Hospital, and diagnosed as ‘acute ischemic stroke’ was collected. Via the emergent brain computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography, the patients were divided into LVO group and non-LVO group. The scores of FAST-ED were calculated according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and compared with Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE), 3-item Stroke Scale (3I-SS), Cincinnati Stroke Triage Assessment Tool (C-STAT), and Prehospital Acute Stroke Scale (PASS) scores. Moreover, the patients were further divided into anterior and posterior circulation lesion groups to explore whether the FAST-ED scale can differ the anterior or posterior circulation effectively.Results:Three hundred and eighty-one patients were eventually included, among whom 284 were diagnosed as LVO, and 97 were diagnosed as non-LVO. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that cut-off value of 4 optimized the scale (sensitivity: 0.76, specificity: 0.69, area under the curve: 0.78). The area under the curve of FAST-ED score(0.78) showed no statistically significant difference with NIHSS (0.79), RACE (0.77), 3I-SS (0.78) and C-STAT scores (0.75), and exhibited statistically significant difference with PASS score (0.74; 95% CI 0.69-0.78, P=0.01). FAST-ED score showed no statistically significant difference in predicting anterior and posterior circulation lesions. Conclusions:FAST-ED score can predict LVO in a rather accurate manner. It can predict anterior and posterior circulation lesions with similar effectiveness. So FAST-ED is able to be a prehospital screening tool and make assistance to the prehospital treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and significance of urine kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) in liver transplant recipients concurrent with early-stage acute kidney injury (AKI).MethodsThe clinical data of orthotopic liver transplantation in 50 cases was retrospectively analyzed.According to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria and whether there was AKI for recipients after operation,the recipients were divided into AKI group (27 cases) and non-AKI group (23 cases).Serum creatinine (SCr),urine creatinine (UCr) and urine KIM-1were determined at the scheduled time points,and relationship between urine KIM-1and AK1was analyzed.By using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC),the diagnostic accuracy of urine KIM-1for AKI was evaluated.ResultsThe level of SCr reached the highest in two groups at 24 h postoperation,that in AKI group was significantly higher than in non-AKI group (P＜0.05),and then gradually decreased to the preoperative level.The level of urine KIM-1was significantly increased immediately at the time of portal vein reperfusion in two groups,and that in AKI group reached the peak at 2nd h after portal vein reperfusion,significantly higher than in non-AKI group (P＜0.01),which continued 12 h after the portal vein reperfusion.The results showed that the sensitivity was 82.6％ and the specificity was 88.9％ when the urine KIM-114.19 ng/g Ucr was taken as the cutoff to the diagnosis of AKI two h after portal vein repeffusion.ConclusionThe level of urine KIM-1is a reliable biomarker to diagnose AKI after liver transplantation.The intraoperative changes of urine KIM-1may be helpful to early prediction of AKI,for recipients with preoperative normal renal function.

Objective To construct a novel enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) recombinant baculovirus. Methods The target gene(EGFP and GDNF) was cloned into baculovirus transfer vector pFastBacDual, pFB-EGFP-GDNF was constructed and restriction enzyme analysis was conducted. pFB-EGFP-GDNF was transposited with baculovirus shuttle vector (Bacmid) into DH10Bac competent cells, and recombination baculovirus vector Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was constructed. The plasmid was extracted and PCR was performed for identification. Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was transfected with Sf9 insect cell package virus by liposomal transfection method. Immunofluorescent staining was employed to detect the expression of EGFP and GDNF protein in St9 cells. Results The target gene fragment was correctly cloned into pFastBaeDual vector, and recombinant Bacmid was constructed. Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF was successfully transfected, and higher virus titer was obtained. The coexpression of GDNF and EGFP protein in Sf9 cells was identified by immunofluorescent staining. Conclusion The recombinant baculovirus Bacmid-EGFP-GDNF can be successfully constructed, and the protein of EGFP and GDNF is coexpressed in St9 cells, which paves a way for the research of GDNF gene therapy.

OBJECTIVETo clarity the original plants and the main application varieties of White Flos Gentianae.

METHODHerbal textual research, wild specimen collection, investigation and collection of the samples from Tibetan hospital, Tibetan pharmaceutical factory and medical material market were carried out simultaneously to identify the original plants of White Flos Gentianae.

RESULTThe results of varieties textual research and specimen identification showed that Gentiana szechenyii, G. purdomii and G. algida were in accord with the record of Tibetan herbal textual The three species above were the original plants of White Flos Gentianae. The identification of 20 batches samples showed that G. szechenyii was the main application variety. The other varieties were only used in Tibetan hospitals. All the samples above were flowering branches.

CONCLUSIONIt was necessary to strengthen the research on variety systematization of White Flos Gentianae make a further discussion on the taxonomy position of G. purdomii, G. algida and the white flos population. Its was also nessary to establish and improve the quality standard of different variety based on the principle of "one species, one name". The quality specification of White Flos Gentianae should be established and improved to standard clinical utilization and produce feeding. More study of resources investigation and cultivation of G. szechenyii should be carried on to meet the demand of produce and clinic.

China ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Gentiana ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development

Objective:To analyze the incidence, biochemical and molecular characteristics, and gene mutation spectrum of neonatal methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) in Shaanxi province.Methods:This study involved 146 152 newborns undergoing neonatal screening for methylmalonic acidemia by tandem mass spectrometry in Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from January 2014 and December 2019. Clinical manifestations and follow-up data of newborns diagnosed with MMA and their acylcarnitine profiles and gene mutations were analyzed. According to whether they had elevated homocysteine or not, these patients were divided into two groups, the complicated group and the isolated MMA group. The control neonates were those excluded from having methylmalonic acid by re-examination. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test was conducted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) Twenty-one cases of MMA were confirmed with an incidence of 1/6 960, including 11 cases (52.4%) of isolated MMA (isolated MMA group) and 10 (47.6%) complicated by elevated homocysteine (complicated group). Eight patients in the isolated group had symptoms within one month after birth, mainly feeding difficulties, vomiting, drowsiness, poor response and infection, and five died. Patients in the complicated group were all diagnosed before developing typical clinical symptoms, and no developmental abnormalities were reported during follow-up. (2) Blood propionyl carnitine and its ratios to acetylcarnitine and free carnitine in the isolated MMA and complicated groups were higher than those in the control group [ M (min-max), 9.26 (3.70-37.78) μmol/L and 7.27 μmol/L (3.58-13.62 μmol/L) vs 4.51 μmol/L (1.48-8.69 μmol/L), H=23.239; 1.12 (0.32-2.43) and 0.74 (0.36-1.90) vs 0.25 (0.09-0.45), H=47.061; 0.94 (0.12-1.92) and 0.56 (0.18-1.03) vs 0.17 (0.06-0.38), H=36.868; all P<0.001]. The blood methionine level in the complicated group was significantly lower than that in the isolated MMA group [7.64 μmol/L (3.40-19.25 μmol/L) vs 24.22 μmol/L (10.73-56.55 μmol/L), U=3.000, P<0.001]. (3) All 21 patients carried complex heterozygous mutations or homozygous mutations in pathogenic genes, including 15 distinct MMUT mutations and 13 distinct MMACHC mutations. In the isolated MMA group, the most common mutation was c.323G>A (p.Arg108His) in the MMUT gene with a positive rate of 13.6%, and an unreported mutation, c.1676+11A>G, with unidentified clinical significance, was also found. The most common mutations in the complicated group were c.609G>A (p.Trp203Ter) and c.567dupT (p.Ile190fs) in the MMACHC gene, and the positive rates were both 20.0%. Moreover, two unreported variants, c.430-2A>C and c.648_650delAGA (p.216_217delSEinsS), were detected and suspected to be pathogenic. Conclusions:MMA is not uncommon in Shaanxi province. Children with isolated MMA tend to be more severe clinically. The identification of hotspot mutations, including c.609G>A (p.Trp203Ter) and c.567dupT (p.Ile190fs) in MMACHC gene and c.323G>A (p.Arg108His) in MMUT gene, provides a foundation for further genetic screening, counseling, and prenatal diagnosis, and is conducive to reduce the mortality and disability rate of neonatal MMA.

Antibody Formation ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

Abnormal changes during fat formation are closely related to the prevalence of many diseases. In order to understand the formation mechanism of fat, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize the morphology and mechanical properties of porcine preadipocytes during the differentiation. Preadipocytes and adipocytes were different morphologically. The surface roughness of adipocytes was less than preadipocytes by detection of the ultrastructure. The mechanical properties of preadipocytes were changed during differentiation with AFM-based force spectroscopy. Preadipocytes were 20% higher than adipocytes in the adhesion force, stiffness and Young's modulus. Therefore, AFM analysis of membrane changes related to adipocytes formation provided quantitative data in the nanometer level for further studying the formation mechanism of the adipocytes.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Adipogenesis ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo discuss the primary stability of the fixed interface between the cementless prosthesis and femur, and its influence on bone ingrowth and secondary stability under the roughened surface and press fit of different prostheses by finite element analysis.

METHODS:A three-dimensional finite element module of total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed with Mimics software. There was a collection of data when simulating hip arthroplasty. The frictional coefficient between the fixed interface was 0,0.15,0.40 and 1.00 representing the roughness of prosthesis surface. The press fit was 0, 0.01,0.05 and 0.10 mm according to the operation. The Vion Mises stress distribution and the contact pressure,friction stress and relative sliding displacement between the interface were analysed and compared when simulating the maneuver of climbing stairs.

RESULTSAt a fixed press fit of 0.05 mm,the contact pressure between the interface was 230 , 231, 222 and 275 MN under four different frictional coefficient (0,0. 15,0.40 and 1.00) with little change; the relative sliding displacement was 0.529, 0.129, 0.107 and 0.087 mm with a consistent and obvious decline. As the fixed frictional coefficient was 0.40,the contact pressure between the interface were 56.0,67.7 ,60.4 and 49.6 MN under four different press fit (0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 mm) with a reduction; the relative sliding displacement was 0.064,0.062,0.043 and 0.042 mm with an obvious decline, and there was a maximal friction stress when press fit of 0.01 mm.

CONCLUSIONThere is a dynamic process of the bone remodeling and bone integration between the interface after hip replacement, determining the long-term outcome. The interface clearance and the frictional coefficient are the key factors of the bone integration.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone and Bones ; chemistry ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Elasticity ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Models, Biological ; Stress, Mechanical

A large amount of evidence has showed that sexually transmitted infection is an important synergistic factor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.Therefore, this paper reviews the current situation of sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) and HIV infection, introduces HIV prevention and intervention measures and problems for STD patients at home and abroad, and proposes that behavior-psychology-society integrated intervention model should be constructed based on the characteristics of STD patients.