ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of psoriasin in actinic keratosis(AK),Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) tissues.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was carried out to quantify the expression of psoriasin protein in tissue specimens from the lesions of 20 patients with AK,25 patients with Bowen' s disease,21 patients with well differentiated SCC,and16 patients with poorly differentiated SCC,as well as from the skin of 18 normal human controls.ResultsThe expression rate of psoriasin was 11.1％ in the control specimens,significantly different from that in the AK(95.0％),Bowen's disease (88.0％),well differentiated SCC (95.2％),and poorly differentiated SCC (92.3％) specimens (all P ＜0.01 ).Psoriasin was expressed in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes and dyskeratotic keratinocytes in stratum corneum and upper 1 to 3 layers of stratum spinosums in AK tissue,in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes as well as the membrane and cytoplasm of vacuolated cells in all layers of the epidermis in Bowen's disease tissue.In well differentiated SCC,cornified pearl and dyskeratotic keratinocytes located in the stratum comeum and all layers of the stratum spinosums stained positive for psoriasin,and in poorly differentiated SCC,psoriasin was distributed in the stratum corneum and upper 1 to 5 layers of the stratum spinosums,but absent in poorly differentiated squamous cells.The expression intensity of psoriasin in tissues sequentially increased from AK,Bowen's disease to well differentiated SCC.Though the expression intensity of psoriasin in poorly differentiated SCC decreased,but was still higher than that in normal skin tissue(P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionPsoriasin is abnormally expressed in skin disorders with dysdifferentiation of squamous cells.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2)on the growth of a human epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431 and its mechanism.Methods Cultured A431 cells were classified into various groups to remain untreated (blank control group),be treated with different concentrations (100,200,300,400,500,600 mg/L) of TiO2 nanoparticles alone or in combination with ultraviolet (UV,main wavelength 253.7 nm,power 30 W,distance 30 cm,exposure duration 15 min) irradiation.After additional culture for different durations,methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate cell growth,annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (PI) double staining to observe cell apoptosis,and Rho123 staining to determine mitochondrial transmembrane potential.Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 13.0 software.Analysis of variance (AOV),t test and Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test were performed to assess the differences in these parameters between these groups.Results The growth of A431 cells was inhibited by pretreatment with TiO2 nanoparticles followed by UV irradiation,and the inhibitory effect was enhanced as the dose of TiO2 nanoparticles increased.As AOV and SNK test showed,there were significant differences in the growth inhibition rate among A431 cells treated with different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles at the three time points (24,48 and 72 hours) after UV irradiation (n =6,F =21.54,77.56,20.27,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).No statistical inhibition was observed in the growth of A431 cells treated with TiO2 nanoparticles alone compared with untreated A431 cells (all P ＞ 0.05).Photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles also induced the apoptosis but decreased the mitochondrial transmembrane potential in A431 cells.In detail,the apoptosis rate was 8.86％ ± 0.22％,11.72％ ± 0.29％ and 31.24％ ± 0.78％ in A431 cells treated with TiO2nanoparticles of 100,200,400 mg/L followed by UV irradiation,respectively,compared to 2.69％ ± 0.28％ in the blank control group (n =3,F =256.61,P ＜ 0.05).Decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential (expressed as total fluorescence intensity) was observed in A431 cells treated with TiO2 nanoparticles of 100,200,400 mg/L followed by UV irradiation compared with blank control group (758.48 ± 15.42,676.60 ± 14.35,557.71 ± 13.12vs.2943.65 ± 70.26,F =208.57,P ＜ 0.05,n =3),and SNK test also revealed statistical differences between these groups.Conclusions TiO2 nanoparticles combined with UV can inhibit the growth of but induce the apoptosis in A431 cells,which may be associated with the reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential in A431 cells,while TiO2 nanoparticles alone show no inhibitory effect on the growth of A431 cells.

Objective To understand the effectiveness of peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM)for achalasia and secondary severe malnutrition in children and the effectiveness of nutrition support before and after POEM.Method Treatment of POEM,nutrition support(tube feeding by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy three months before operation)in one case were recorded and analyzed.Results POEM was successful without any complication such as perforation,bleeding,and pneumoderm.The child suffered from fever after surgery,which was dissolved after symptomatic treatment three days later.Chest pain was relieved after changing position.The diet was changed from liquid to semifluid,and then to normal diet.The child did not have dysphagia.During the 6-month follow-up,the patient had normal diets by oral route.The weight was 32 kg before achalasia and decreased to 18 kg after 9 months(at admission);it then increased to 29 kg after short-time(12 days)parenteral nutrition and long-time(3 months)enteral nutrition by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy,and then the patient received POEM.His weight was 30,31,31,29,and 31 kg 1,4,6,9,and 13 months,respectively,after POEM.Conclusion POEM can effectively cure achalasia in pediatric patients and improve the quality of life.Rational enteral nutrition can improve nutrition status and facilitate a successful POEM.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of type 3 secretion system and biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in diabetic foot wound, and to analyze the relationship between these factors, as well as to the antibiotic sensitivity.Methods:Thirty-three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from the foot wounds of diabetic foot inpatients in Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital from February 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Thirteen strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from non-diabetic wounds. All strains were tested for antibiotic sensitivity. The virulence genes exoS or exoU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the ability of biofilm formation were tested. The characteristics of exoS or exoU and biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were analyzed. Patients′ clinical outcomes were also analyzed.Results:Pseudomonas aeruginosa with exoS gene was the major pathogen, 90.9% found in diabetic foot group and 84.6% in control group, with no significant difference( χ2=0.54, P=0.46). The drug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with exoS accounted for 16.7% in diabetic foot group and 18.2% in control group, also with no significant difference( χ2=0.18, P=0.83). There were 5 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying exoU, 3 strains in diabetic foot group, of which 1 was resistant, 2 in control group, no resistant strain. Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased the ability of biofilm formation in diabetic foot group, accounting for 57.6%, and for resistant strains, 83.3% of them increased the biofilm formation ability. Two kinds of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced different biofilms, but they were effectiveless for carbapenem antibiotics. The times of debridement ( P<0.01), time of antibiotic use ( P<0.01) were more in biofilm wound, but the healing rate reached 75%-90%. Conclusion:Pseudomonas aeruginosa secreting ExoS is the main one in the diabetic foot wound. The ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce biofilm in DF wound is increased. Biofilm is one reason for its antibiotic resistance. Multiple debridement combined with sensitive antibiotics is an effective method to remove biofilm.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Gene Expression ; Glucosides ; Kidney ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of Sini-Moxibustion in the treatment of cancer-induced fatigue in patients with yang- deficiency gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: A total of 120 patients with gastrointestinal cancer treated in our department from January 2017 to January 2018 were randomly divided into 2 groups: the fire moxibustion group and the conventional group. The conventional group and the fire therapy group were treated with basic treatments such as anti-cancer and nutritional support. The conventional group added Sini-Moxibustion to the basic treatment, and the fire therapy group added"Sini-Moxibustion"therapy for a period of 1 month. Tthe indicators of the 2 groups of patients with Piper fatigue scale and grade, quality of life, symptoms of yang deficiency symptoms, clinical efficacy and blood tests of patients with chemotherapy were evaluated. Results: After the treatment, the degrees of fatigue in the fire moxibustion group was lower than that in the conventional group with statistically significant difference ( χ2 =4.24, P =0.037 ＜ 0.05). The scores of improvement in the quality of life scale and five subscales in the fire moxibustion were higher than those in the conventional group with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.01), and the improvement score of the body yang deficiency in the fire moxibustion group was greater than that of the conventional group (P ＜ 0.01). The scores of fatigue, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, anorexia, and diarrhea in the fire moxibustion group were higher than those in the conventional group with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01). After treatment, the total effective rate was 76.67％ in the fire moxibustion treatment group, which was higher than the conventional group 91.53％ with statistically significant difference ( χ2 =5.64, P =0.012 ＜ 0.01). Hemoglobin improvement value of 3.92 ± 1.18 in the fire moxibustion group was higher than that of the conventional group 1.02 ± 0.52 with statistically significant difference (t =7.212, P =0.003 ＜ 0.01). Conclusion: Sini-moxibustion can improve the CRF of patients with yangdeficiency gastrointestinal cancer, reduce the symptoms of yang deficiency, improve the quality of life, and increase the hemoglobin content in patients with chemotherapy.

Background: Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis in the world. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has emerged as a widely sought-after and highly effective surgical procedure for advanced hip diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of gout on primary THA outcomes in large cohorts. This study aimed to address this gap by primarily investigating complications following THA in patients with or without gout. Methods: Patients with records of gout in the 2 years leading up to their primary THA and who also have at least 2 years of follow-up were identified using a national insurance database and compared to a 5:1 matched control. A total of 32,466 patients with gout and 161,514 patients without gout undergoing THA were identified. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done for medical complications up to 90 days and surgical complications up to 2 years. In addition, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient readmission were also documented. Results: Patients with gout demonstrated higher rates of medical complications including deep vein thrombosis, transfusion, acute kidney injury, and urinary tract infection than non-gout patients (p < 0.001). Gout patients also showed higher rates of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.017). Increased incidences of surgical complications were identified in gout patients, specifically wound complications and periprosthetic joint infection (p < 0.001). There was an increased risk of revision for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.003), 1 year (p = 0.027), and 2 years (p = 0.039). There was also an increased risk of dislocation for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.022) and 1 year (p = 0.047), but not at 2 years. No significant difference was observed in aseptic loosening or periprosthetic fracture. Additionally, gout patients also demonstrated a higher likelihood of 90-day ED visits and readmission (p < 0.001). Conclusions Primary THA in gout patients is associated with increased risks of multiple medical and surgical complications. Our findings provide insights into the planning and expectation of THA for patients with gout. These insights have the potential to benefit the decision-making process for gout patients considering THA.

OBJECTIVETo explore a more optimal therapy for intractable insomnia.

METHODSSeven hundred cases of intractable insomnia that were in accordance with the criteria were randomly divided into an observation group (368 cases) and a control group (332 cases). The acupuncture prescription of regulating yin-yang and five viscera was applied in the observation group, where Dazhui (GV 14), Shenmai (BL 62), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhaohai (KI 6), Geshu (BL 17), etc. were selected. The acupuncture prescription of tranquilizing mind was applied in the control group, where Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Anmian (Extra), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyin jiao (SP 6) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, ten times of which made a session. After the treatment for 4 sessions, the clinical efficacy and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 92.6% (338/365) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.1% (242/331) in the control group (P < 0.05). The PSQI score was obviously decreased in two groups after the treatment (both P < 0.05), in which the decreasing in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture prescription of regulating yin-yang and five viscera has better effect for intractable insomnia, which could be considered as a more optimal therapy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of bufalin in reversing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced resistance to afatinib in H1975 lung cancer cells, and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe afatinib-resistant H1975 lung cancer cells (H1975AR) were induced by exogenous HGF and transfected with recombinant adenoviral vector Ad-HGF-GFP. The cytostatic effects of bufalin, afatinib and bufalin plus afatinib on H1975AR cells were evaluated by MTT assay. The impact of combined therapy with bufalin and afatinib on invasion of H1975AR cells was determined by transwell migration assay. The concentrations of HGF in the culture supernatants of H1975/Vec and H1975/HGF cells were determined by ELISA. The expression of EGFR, cMET and EMT signal pathway-related proteins in H1975AR cells treated with bufalin, afatinib and bufalin plus afatinib were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe results of MTT assay showed that afatinib did not inhibit the growth of H1975 cells, but after 72 h of the combined treatment with bufalin and afatinib and in the presence of HGF, the growth rate of H1975 cells was (38.67 ± 8.76)%, significantly lower than the growth rate of (63.45 ± 12.65)% in the H1975 cells treated with HGF alone (P < 0.05). The results of transwell migration assay showed that in the presence of HGF, afatinib plus bufalin combination therapy markedly decreased the number of invaded H1975 cells through the Matrigel chamber (48.98 ± 11.43), significantly lower than the 118.92 ± 37.29 of afatinib-treated or the 88.84 ± 19.53 of bufalin-treated cells (P < 0.05 for all). The result of ELISA showed that H1975/HGF cells secreted high levels of HGF, and afatinib and bufalin had no effect on the HGF secretion in H1975/HGF cells. The results of Western blot analysis showed that the expression of p-EGFR, p-cMet, p-AKT, p-ERK, vimentin and snail in H1975AR cells treated with bufalin puls afatinb was down-regulated markedly, and the expression of E-cadherin was up-regulated markedly.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of bufalin and afatinib strongly inhibits the growth of H1975AR lung cancer cells and decreases their invasion ability. The possible mechanism of combined treatment with bufalin and afatinib may be related to the blocking of cMet/PI3K/AKT and cMet/MAPK/ERK pathways and inhibiting of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Coloring Agents ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

The existing regulations and systems of the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) have clear provisions on the definition, classification and listed on the market procecure of pharmaceutical products, and the supervision strictly follows the EU standards. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products belong to the category of Swedish Herbal Medicine Products (HMP) or Traditional Herbal Medicine Products (THMP) and are under the supervision of Swedish Pharmaceutical Products Administration (MPA). This paper analyzes the classification, relevant regulations and registration procecures of TCM products in Sweden. It is suggests that TCM enterprises should fully understand the EU regulations and guidance regulations before listed on the market of TCM products. They should also clarify the product category, and provide sufficient and accurate evidence. In the application process, they should pay attention to strengthening communication with the drug administration units of Sweden.