Hepatic fibrosis of rat was induced by CCl_4 and treated with tetrandrine(Tet). Results showed that Tet had obvious effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis which can be borne out by determining the activities of liver enzyme spectrum consisting of ALT,AKP,ChE,MAO and r-GT in serum. The meaurement can be observed dynamically, is noninvasive and more rapid,accurate and convenient than invasive hepatic biopsy. It provides valuable biochemical indexes for diagnosis,curative effect and prognostic judgement of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To compare the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) and repeat hepatectomy for solitary recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the diameter≤3 cm. Methods The clinical data of 151 patients with recurrent HCC (diameter≤3 cm) who were admitted to the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 1999 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Of all the patients, 79received PRFA (PRFA group) and 72 received repeat hepatectomy (repeat hepatectomy group). The survival rate, morbidity and recurrence of the tumor between the two groups were compared. All data were analyzed using t test, chi-square test or Log-rank test, and the survival of the patients were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The mobidities of the PRFA group and repeat hepatectomy group were 13% (10/79) and 36%(26/72), respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (x2=11.411, P＜0.05). The cumulative 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-year survival rates were 89.7%, 75.2%, 67.1%, 61.5%, 56.6% in the PRFA group, and 86.0%, 67.6%, 53.6%, 44.1%, 40.2% in the repeat hepatectomy group, with no significant difference between the two groups (x2=1.610, P＞0.05). The cumulative 4-, 5-year survival rates of the PRFA group were significant higher than those in the repeat hepatectomy group (x2=4.682, 4. 196, P ＜ 0.05). The local tumor recurrence rate of the PRFA group was 5% (4/79), and the incisal margin recurrence rate was 3% (2/72) in the repeat hepatectomy group, with no significant difference between the two groups (x2=0.565, P＞0.05). Conclusion As a less invasive treatment method, PRFA is superior to repeat hepatectomy for solitary recurrent HCC with the diameter≤3 cm.

OBJECTIVETo test whether folic acid offers protection of the brain tissue against acute cerebral infarction in rats.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n=8), pre-treatment (n=12) and treatment (n=16) groups, all having routine feed for 7 days. The rats in the control and treatment groups were given normal saline daily, and those in the pre-treatment group received folic acid suspension daily. All the rats were then subject to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 24 h followed by reperfusion. On and after the operation day, the rats in the control group were given normal saline and those in the other two groups were given folic acid suspension daily. Neural function deficiency was evaluated on a daily basis after the operation, and on day 6 after the operation, brain biopsy was performed for examination with TTC staining. Monocyte chemokine -1 (MCP-1) in both normal and infarct tissues was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSOn day 6 after the operation, the neural function deficiency scores of the control, pre-treatment and treatment groups were 4.56∓3.63, 2.94∓2.94 and 1.00∓1.00, and the percentages of the infarct area (to the whole brain area) were (44.23∓10.06)%, (20.64∓6.78)% and (14.61∓13.51)%, respectively. The contents of MCP-1 in the infarct area of the brain tissues were 168.58∓107.21 ng/L, 152.91∓64.78 ng/L, and 97.74∓46.19 ng/L in the 3 groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONFolic acid can protect brain tissue against acute cerebral infarction in rats.

Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; Female ; Folic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; drug therapy ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Objective:To develop a risk prediction model for early cardiac arrest in emergency sepsis utilizing a machine learning algorithm to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient treatment.Methods:This study focused on patients with sepsis who received treatment at the emergency room of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2020 to June 1, 2023. The basic clinical characteristics such as vital signs and laboratory results were collected. Patients who fulfilled the specified inclusion criteria were allocated randomly into a training group and a testing group with a ratio of 8:2. A CatBoost model was constructed using Python software, and the prediction efficiency of the model was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Furthermore, the performance of the model was compared to that of other widely employed clinical scores.Results:This study included a cohort of 2 131 patients diagnosed with sepsis, among whom 449 experienced cardiac arrest. The CatBoost model demonstrated an AUC of 0.760, surpassing other scores. Notably, the top 10 predictors in the model were identified as age, lactate, interleukin -6, oxygen saturation, albumin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, potassium, sodium, creatinine, and platelets.Conclusions:The utilization of this machine learning algorithm-based prediction model offers a more precise basis for predicting cardiac arrest in emergency sepsis patients, thereby potentially improving the treatment efficacy for this disease.

The 26S proteasome is a proteolytic complex responsible for the degradation of the vast majority of eukaryotic proteins. Regulated proteolysis by the proteasome is thought to influence cell cycle progression, transcriptional control, and other critical cellular processes. A novel Schistosoma japonicum gene (GenBank Accession No. AY813725) proteasome alpha2 subunit (SjPSMA2) was cloned. Sequence analysis revealed that the ORF of SjPSMA2 gene contains 708 nucleotides encoding 235 amino acids, and the molecular weight was estimated to be 25.84 kDa. Real-time PCR analysis showed that this gene expressed in 7 d, 13 d, 18 d, 23 d, 32 d and 42 d schistosoma. The mRNA level of SjPSMA2 was lower in 7 d and 23 d schistosomulum than that in other stages. The SjPSMA2 cDNA fragment was subcloned into an expression vector pET28a(+) and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. After induction with IPTCQ the 30 kDa fusion protein was produced as included bodies. Western-blotting revealed that the fusion protein could be recognized by the rabbit serum anti-Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen preparation, and the protein in native could be detected. After immunization of BALB/c mice with the fusion protein, the reduction rates of worm counts and liver egg counts were 12.33% and 35.23%. ELISA results revealed that the vaccinated group showed a significant increase in the level of IgG antibody. This study provided an important basis for investigating the regulation mechanism of the proteasome during the development of Schistosoma japonicum.
Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; blood ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genes, Helminth ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunization ; Liver ; parasitology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Parasite Egg Count ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

The present study was intend to clone and express the cDNA encoding Cyclophilin B (CyPB) of Schistosoma japonicum, its preliminary biological function and further immunoprotective effect against schistosome infection in mice. RT-PCR technique was applied to amplify a full-length cDNA encoding protein Cyclophilin B (Sj CyPB) from schistosomula cDNA. The expression profiles of Sj CyPB were determined by Real-time PCR using the template cDNAs isolated from 7, 13, 18, 23, 32 and 42 days parasites. The cDNA containing the Open Reading Frame of CyPB was then subcloned into a pGEX-6P-1 vector and transformed into competent Escherichia coli BL21 for expressing. The recombinant protein was renaturated, purified and its antigenicity were detected by Western blotting, and the immunoprotective effect induced by recombinant Sj CyPB was evaluated in Balb/C mice. The cDNA containing the ORF of Sj CyPB was cloned with the length of 672 base pairs, encoding 223 amino acids. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the gene had the highest expression in 18-day schistosomula, suggesting that Sj CyPB was schistosomula differentially expressed gene. The recombinant protein showed a good antigenicity detected by Western blotting. Animal experiment indicated that the vaccination of recombinant CyPB protein in mice led to 31.5% worm and 41.01% liver egg burden reduction, respectively, compared with those of the control. A full-length cDNA differentially expressed in schistosomula was obtained. The recombinant Sj CyPB protein could induce partial protection against schistosome infection.
Animals ; Antigens, Helminth ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cyclophilins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Schistosoma japonicum ; genetics ; immunology ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; prevention & control ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; biosynthesis ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the personality and character of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients.

METHODSSubjects, recruited from May 2013 to February 2014, were assigned to the severe OSAHS group (56 cases), mild-moderate OSAHS group (59 cases), and control group (42 cases) on the basis of apnea hyponea index (AHI). Subjects were assigned to the severe hypoxemia group (24 cases), mild-moderate hypoxemia group (91 cases) on the basis of PaO2. The psychological aspects of subjects were assessed by using the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI).

RESULTSCompared between OSAHS group and the control group, differences of 6 clinical scales depression (D), hysteria (Hy), masculinity (Mf), paranoia (Pa), anxiety (A), ego strength (Es) were significant (t value was 2.609, 2.133, -2.294, 2.520, 2.041, 2.675 respectively, all P < 0.05). The scores of OSAHS group were higher than the control group on five clinical scales, depression (D), hysteria (Hy), paranoia (Pa), anxiety (A), ego strength (ES). The scores of OSAHS group were lower than the control group on clinical scale masculinity (Mf). Compared between severe OSAHS group and mild-moderate OSAHS group, differences of 6 clinical scales depression (D), paranoia (Pa), psychasthenia (Pt) anxiety (A), manifest anxiety scale (MAS), dependency (Dy) were significant (t value was 2.460, 2.086, 2.181, 2.121, 2.954, 1.982, respectively). The scores of severe OSAHS group were all higher than the mild-moderate OSAHS group on these six clinical scales. Compared between severe hypoxemia group and the contrast group, differences of 4 clinical scales depression (D), masculinity (Mf), paranoia (Pa), ego strength (Es) were significant (t value was respectively 2.992, -2.221, 2.164, 2.165, all P < 0.05). The scores of severe hypoxemia group were higher than the control group on 3 clinical scales, depression (D), paranoia (Pa), ego strength (ES), and lower than the control group on clinical scale masculinity (Mf). Compared between severe hypoxemia group and mild-moderate hypoxemia group, psychasthenia (Pt) were significant (t value was 1.984). The scores of severe hypoxemia group were higher.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with health people, OSAHS patients have special personality and character. The degree of OSAHS can infect the personality and character of OSAHS patients.

Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; complications ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; complications ; MMPI ; Personality ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; psychology

BACKGROUNDFirst generation drug-eluting stents (DES) were associated with a high incidence of late stent thrombosis (ST), mainly due to delayed healing and re-endothelization by the durable polymer coating. This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.

METHODSThe Nano trial is the first randomized trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free SES and Partner durable-polymer SES (Lepu Medical Technology, Beijing, China) in the treatment of patients with de novo native coronary lesions. The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss (LLL) at 9-month follow-up. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization.

RESULTSA total of 291 patients (Nano group: n = 143, Partner group: n = 148) were enrolled in this trial from 19 Chinese centers. The Nano polymer-free SES was non-inferior to the Partner durable-polymer DES at the primary endpoint of 9 months (P < 0.001). The 9-month in-segment LLL of the polymer-free Nano SES was comparable to the Partner SES (0.34 ± 0.42) mm vs. (0.30 ± 0.48) mm, P = 0.21). The incidence of MACE in the Nano group were 7.6% compared to the Partner group of 5.9% (P = 0.75) at 2 years follow-up. The frequency of cardiac death and stent thrombosis was low for both Nano and Partner SES (0.8% vs. 0.7%, 0.8% vs. 1.5%, both P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONSIn this multicenter randomized Nano trial, the Nano polymer-free SES showed similar safety and efficacy compared with the Partner SES in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions. Trials in patients with complex lesions and longer term follow-up are necessary to confirm the clinical performance of this novel Nano polymer-free SES.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use