BACKGROUND:Cuscuta chinensis is a mature seed of Cuscutachinensis Lam., can warm kidney. Previous studies demonstrated that kidney compound composed of Cuscuta chinensis could apparently inhibit bone loss and improve bone density.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the influence of flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis on bone mineral density of femur, 1,25(OH)2D3 levels of serum and kidney, the expression of smal intestine CaBp-D9K mRNA in model rats with ovariectomized osteoporosis.
METHODS:A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley female rats were equal y and randomly divided into six groups (n=12):sham surgery group, model group, vitamin D3 group and low-, moderate-and high-dose flavonoids groups. The sham surgery group only received sham operation and the other five groups were ovariectomized respectively. One week after ovariectomy, the rats were given flavonoids from low-, moderate-and high-dose Cuscuta chinensis and vitamin D3 (2 mg/kg) by intragastric administration for 3 consecutive months. Blood was obtained from the abdominal aorta. Serum was isolated. The kidney was obtained. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine 1,25(OH)2D3 contents of renal and serum. Rats were sacrificed at the end of experiment. The thighbone was taken out to determine bone mineral density. The second lumbar vertebra was taken out to measure the expression of lumbar vertebra and renal vitamin D receptor mRNA using real-time fluorescent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The smal intestine was taken out to measure the expression of smal intestine CaBp-D9K mRNA using real-time fluorescent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham operation group, bone mineral density of femur, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels of serum and kidney and the expression of lumbar vertebra vitamin D receptor mRNA significantly decreased in model group, and the expression of smal intestine CaBp-D9K mRNA significantly decreased in model group. Compared with the model group, bone mineral density of femur, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels of serum and kidney, and the expression of the second lumbar vertebra vitamin D receptor mRNA, and the expression of smal intestine CaBp-D9K mRNA were increased in moderate-and high-dose flavonoids groups and vitamin D3 group. Results indicated that flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis could significantly raise bone mineral density of femur, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels of serum and kidney and the expression of lumbar vertebra vitamin D receptor mRNA and the expression of smal intestine CaBp-D9K mRNA, accelerate intestinal calcium absorption and osteoblast activity, and reinforce quality of the bone.

Objective To explore the value of coronary flow reserve(CFR) evaluating myocardial ischemia measured by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stress transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE),and the feasibility of CFR to predict coronary stenosis.Methods Fifty-four patients suffering chest pain with known or suspected coronary artery disease were performed ATP stress TTDE to measure resting and maximum expansion coronary blood flow velocity and calculate CFR.all patients were performed by coronary angiography (CAG) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging.Results ① To evaluate myocardial ischemia,there was not statistical significant difference between non-invasive CFR and SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging(P ＞0.05).CFR≤2.0 was the best cutoff value for evaluating myocardial ischemia which yielded a sensitivity of 93.3 ％ and specificity of 89.7％.②Coronary artery stenosis was negatively correlated with CFR (P ＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that CFR≤ 1.60 yielded a sensitivity of 92.3％ and specificity of 73.3％ to predict coronary stenosis significantly.Conclusions CFR measured by ATP stress TTDE can evaluate myocardial ischemia of coronary artery disease and predict LAD significant stenosis before CAG.Using CFR and CAG has important clinical value for choosing treatment of stable coronary artery disease.

Objective:To explore the application effect of case-based learning combined with problem-based learning teaching model in refresher training of medical imaging technologists.Methods:The study recruited 46 imaging technologists trained in radiology department in the Batch 2017 and Batch 2018 of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. They were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (23 persons) and control group (23 persons). Case-based learning combined with problem-based learning teaching method was used in the experimental group, and traditional lecture-based learning method was used in the control group. 2 test was used for sex distribution comparisons between the two groups, and independent t test was conducted to compare the differences in age, working years, entrance examination results, attitude rating scores, stage examination scores, completion examination scores, and operational examination scores between the two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons of non-parametric variables between the two groups, such as qualifications, occupation title, and questionnaire results.Results:Theoretical examination results at the second stage, the third stage, completion and operational examination results in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group [(91.17±2.59) vs. (85.26±3.03), (92.00±1.86) vs. (87.43±3.23), (92.39±2.08) vs. (87.04±2.93), (85.70±5.48) vs. (80.87±5.57), P<0.05]. The questionnaire survey showed that the stimulation of subject interest, the cultivation of exploration spirit, the exercise of self-learning ability, the establishment of clinical ideas, the analysis of difficult problems, the mastering of practical operations, and the affirmation of self-worth in the experimental group were better than those in the control group, with significant difference [4(3, 4) scores vs. 3(2, 3) scores, 4(3, 4) scores vs. 2(2, 3) scores, 3(3, 4) scores vs. 2(2, 3) scores, 3(3, 4) scores vs. 3(2, 3) scores, 3(3, 4) scores vs. 2(2, 3) scores, 4(3, 4) scores vs. 3(2, 3) scores, 4(3, 4) scores vs. 3(2, 3) scores, P<0.05], while the consolidation of theoretical knowledge of the experimental group was not different from the control group [3(2, 3) scores vs. 3(2, 3) scores, P>0.05]. Conclusions:The reasonable application of case-based learning combined with problem-based learning teaching model in refresher training of medical imaging technologists is helpful to improve their learning enthusiasm, self-learning ability, clinical analysis ability, practical operation ability, and long-term consolidation of theoretical knowledge, and it also can contribute to affirmation of self-worth.

Objective:To compare peripheral blood tenascin-C (TN-C) level in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) on admission, after treatment and at recovery, and to assess the potential of TN-C as a novel predictor for coronary artery lesion.Methods:Retrospective study.Blood samples of 44 KD patients [including 21 patients with coronary artery lesions (CAL + group) and 23 patients without coronary artery lesions(CAL - group)], 39 anaphylactoid purpura patients and 36 non-infected and non-vasculitis controls in the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College during January 1, 2018 and November 1, 2018 were collected.TN-C level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Normally distributed data were compared by the t test; otherwise, they were compared by the Mann- Whitney U test. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient or Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between TN-C and other laboratory indexes. Results:For KD patients, TN-C levels on admission [(32.0±13.8) μg/L] and after treatment [(33.5±11.4) μg/L] were significantly higher than that at recovery [(23.3±10.8) μg/L](all P<0.01), which was positively correlated with C-reactive protein ( r=0.317, P=0.038), and negatively correlated with sodium level ( r=-0.472, P=0.004). No significant difference in TN-C level was found between CAL + group and CAL - group [on admission: (31.7±15.4) μg/L vs.(32.3±12.5) μg/L; after treatment: (32.2±11.6) μg/L vs.(34.8±11.3) μg/L; at recovery: (22.6±7.3) μg/L vs.(24.0±13.4) μg/L; all P>0.05]. In addition, TN-C level in patients with KD [(32.0±13.8) μg/L] and anaphylactoid purpura [(37.2±18.2) μg/L] was significantly higher than that of control children [(24.0±8.05) μg/L] (all P<0.01). Conclusions:The study findings are able to prove the potential of peripheral blood TN-C as a predictor for coronary artery lesion in KD patients, nor as a maker of vascular injury.Nevertheless, it may be used as an indicator of immune response in the acute phase of KD.

Objective:To explore the application effect of case-based learning (CBL) combined with problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model in refresher training of medical imaging technologists.Methods:The study recruited 46 imaging technologists trained in radiology department in the Batch 2017 and Batch 2018 of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. They were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (23 persons) and control group (23 persons). CBL combined with PBL teaching method was used in the experimental group, and traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) method was used in the control group. The results of attitude evaluation, staged exminations, graduation assessment and operational skill tests were compared between the two groups, and the questionnaire survey was performed to test the affirmation of self-worth of the two groups of interns. SPSS 17.0 was used for chi-square test, independent t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Theoretical examination results at the second stage, the third stage, completion and operational examination results in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(91.17±2.59) vs. (85.26±3.03), (92.00±1.86) vs. (87.43±3.23), (92.39±2.08) vs. (87.04±2.93), (85.70±5.48) vs. (80.87±5.57), P<0.05]. The questionnaire survey showed that such 7 aspects as the stimulation of subject interest, the cultivation of exploration spirit, the exercise of self-learning ability, the establishment of clinical ideas, the analysis of difficult problems, the mastering of practical operations, and the affirmation of self-worth in the experimental group were better than those in the control group, with significant difference ( P<0.05), while the consolidation of theoretical knowledge of the experimental group was not statistically different from the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The reasonable application of CBL combined with PBL teaching model in refresher training of medical imaging technologists is helpful to improve their learning enthusiasm, self-learning ability, clinical analysis ability, practical operation ability, and long-term consolidation of theoretical knowledge.

Objective:To understand the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and associated risk factors of severe adenovirus(ADV)pneumonia in children, providing the basis for targeted prevention and treatment.Methods:Clinical features of children with ADV pneumonia at Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the severity of the disease, cases were divided into severe ADV pneumonia group and common ADV pneumonia group.The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of two groups were compared, and risk factors for the occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 158 patients with ADV pneumonia were enrolled, including severe ADV pneumonia 104 cases(8.98%) and ordinary ADV pneumonia 1 054 cases(91.02%).The median age of severe ADV pneumonia group was 1.17 (0.83, 2.73) years, which was significantly younger than that of common ADV pneumonia group 3.16 (1.50, 4.50) years( P<0.05), and 77.89% (81/104) of them were younger than 3 years old.The occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia was predominant in winter and spring, accounting for 71.15% (74/104).Cough was present in 89.42% (93/104) and fever in 99.01% (103/104) of the severe ADV pneumonia group.Compared with the common ADV pneumonia group, the severe ADV pneumonia group had a significantly longer febrile time[10(6, 14)d vs. 5(4, 7)d, P<0.05], significantly higher incidence of shortness of breath, wheezing, convulsions/coma[100% vs. 2.09%, 45.19% vs. 13.57%, 10.57% vs. 1.99%, P<0.05], and significantly higher incidences of emphysema, pleural effusion, bronchial signs, pulmonary solids, and atelectasis [21.15% vs. 2.09%, 5.77% vs. 0.19%, 4.81% vs. 0, 3.85% vs. 0.09%, P<0.05].Multivariable Logistic regression showed that age younger than 1.71 years old, wheezing, and the presence of underlying diseases (moderate to severe anaemia, congenital heart disease, neurological disease) were risk factors for the development of severe ADV pneumonia ( P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of age<1.71 years old(20 months old) for predicting the occurrence of severe ADV pneumonia were 65.4% and 71.5%, respectively. Conclusion:The age of most severe ADV pneumonia is less 3 years in Suzhou.It usually occurres in winter and spring, with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing as the main symptoms.Pulmonary manifestations such as pleural effusion, emphysema, pulmonary consolidation, and atelectasis may occur.The underlying disease, wheezing, and age of onset less than 1.71 years (20 months) old are independent risk factors for severe ADV pneumonia.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a sulfurated glycosaminoglycan, a major component of the extracellular matrix, widely distributed in skin, cartilage and vascular tissue. CS plays an important role in the physiological state regulation of articular cartilage, which affects tensile strength and elasticity of tissues by influencing aggrecan. Previous studies have shown that CS sulfate modification may be related to the growth and development disorders of cartilage tissue and the occurrence of osteoarticular diseases. At the same time, CS is also a common joint supplement, often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and Kashin-Beck disease. In this paper, the research progress of CS sulfate modification characteristics in Kashin-Beck disease and osteoarthritis and the application of the preparation in the treatment of Kashin-Beck disease and osteoarthritis are reviewed, aiming to provide help for the investigation of the etiology of Kashin-Beck disease and the treatment of osteoarthritis and Kashin-Beck disease.

The clinical data of a case of compound oxidative phosphorylation deficiency type 10 (COXPD10) caused by a new site mutation of MTO1 gene in the Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University on December 29, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The patient was a 2 months and 19 days old boy of Han nationality.The main clinical manifestations were shortness of breath, hyperlactic acidemia, hyperammonemia and brain damage.Cardiac hypertrophy was not obvious.Heterozygous mutations at c. 344delA and c. 1055C>T sites in the MTO1 gene have not been reported in domestic and foreign literature.COXPD10 caused by MTO1 gene mutations may result in diversified clinical manifestations due to inconsistent mutation sites.For hyperlactic acidemia with unknown predisposing factors, early genetic examination should be conducted to confirm the possibility of COXPD10.

Background Research on non-target organ damage of biological pesticides has attracted much attention. Rotenone exposure may be far beyond the occupational environment, and the exposureduring pregnancy may be increased through bioaccumulation, fruit or vegetable residues, and other forms of oral intake. At present, the effects of rotenone on placental development and its mechanism are still unknown. Objective To investigate the developmental damage of rat placenta and evaluate the expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β) and beta catenin (β-catenin) followed by rotenone exposure through the placental barrier during pregnancy, as well as to propose possible associated mechanisms. Methods Eighteen sexually mature SD female infertile rats without specific pathogens were selected and divided into three groups: blank control group (0.9% saline), corn oil group, and rotenone group (corn oil + 2 mg·kg⁻¹ rotenone) by random number method, six female animals in each group. Another six male rats were selected and mated to the female rats at night with a female to male ratio of 3:1 per cage. Pregnant rats were given 0.9% saline, corn oil, and 2 mg·kg⁻¹ rotenone preparation by isovolumetric gavage once daily for the entire gestation period (19 d), and their conditions were observed after the last dose. The pregnant rats were anesthetized, and the size of the placenta and blood perfusion were detected by ultrasound the next day of the last dose of rotenone. Then, 3 pregnant rats in each group were sacrificed immediately and the placenta and umbilical cord tissues were dissected. The remaining 9 pregnant rats gave birth naturally, and the fetuses were observed for developmental evaluation and weighed. The histopathological changes of umbilical cord and placenta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The reactive oxygen species levels of placenta tissues were detected by flow cytometry. The Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of placenta tissues was detected by colorimetric method. The localization and levels of GSK-3β and β-catenin expression of placenta were detected by immunohistochemistry. The p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β and p-β-catenin/β-catenin protein expression in placental tissues were measured by Western blotting. Results No injury or death was recorded during the pregnant rats receiving rotennon administration. Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal absorption and postpartum stillbirth were found in the rotenone group, and the weight of the fetal mice decreased (P<0.05). The B-ultrasound showed disc-shaped placenta with a thick middle and thin edge, smooth fetal surface, rough maternal surface, visible placental lobules, granular echotexture of the placenta with comma-like echogenic densities, and chorionic plate showing deep indentations, no calcification, degeneration, or necrosis in each group. Compared with the corn oil group, the fetal surface diameter of the placenta was reduced in the rotenone group (P<0.05). The Doppler color ultrasound showed that interplacental blood flow was reduced in the rotenone group, while interplacental blood flow was abundant in the blank control and the corn oil groups. The hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that smooth muscle cells in the umbilical cord tissues of rats were loosely arranged, with fuzzy nuclei and inflammatory infiltration in the rotenone group. The placental trophoblast cells were small in size, disorderly arranged with nuclear fragmentation and cytoplasm turbidity. The tissue reactive oxygen species level in the rotenone group was higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). The Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of placental tissues was reduced in the rotenone group (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence low-magnification observation showed that GSK-3β and β-catenin were expressed in placental tissue, weak fluorescence expression in the decidua basalis, strong fluorescence expression in the labyrinthine layer structure. The labyrinthine layer under high magnification showed that compared with the blank control group and the corn oil group, the brightness of β-catenin fluorescence expression in the rotenone group decreased (P<0.05), and the brightness of GSK-3β expression increased (P<0.05). The Western blotting results showed that the expression of β-catenin and p-GSK-3β proteins decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of GSK-3β protein increased (P<0.01) in the rotenone group. No significant expression of p-β-catenin protein was detected in the placenta tissue of each group. Conclusion Rotenone exposure during pregnancy induces placental hypoperfusion, growth retardation, and oxidative stress in rats, as well as down-regulation of β-catenin and p-GSK-3β protein expression, and up-regulation of GSK-3β protein expression, which may further lead to abnormal pregnancy and fetal restricted growth.

Because of the frequent occurrence of epidemics in Jiangnan since ancient times， the local medical schools have accumulated rich experience in epidemic prevention， among which Yushan medical school， Wumen medical school， and Qiantang medical school are famous. The physicians have inherited the theory in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases and developed the therapies for febrile diseases. Adhering to the idea of integrating cold and febrile diseases， the physicians in Jiangnan flexibly adapt ZHANG Zhongjing's theory by combining regional climate， patient physique and other factors to explain the pathogenesis， which is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of epidemics. Therefore， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has demonstrated good curative effect on coronavirus disease-2019 （COVID-19） in China. However， the SARS-CoV-2 variants （Delta and Omicron） characterized by strong infectivity， pathogenicity， and immune escape capacity keep emerging， which bring great challenges to the global prevention and control of this pandemic. To this end， we studied the ways of Jiangnan medical school for the prevention and treatment of epidemics， reviewed the evolution of TCM treatment protocols for COVID-19， and summarized China's experience in fighting against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further， we explored the measures of TCM in treating SARS-CoV-2 variants from prevention， treatment， and rehabilitation according to the theory for epidemic prevention of Jiangnan medical school. This paper provides reference for the prevention and treatment of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant and facilitates the development of TCM epidemiology.