Background: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key enzyme for cellular energy homeostasis and improves metabolic disorders. Brown and beige adipose tissues exert thermogenesis capacities to dissipate energy in the form of heat. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in menopausal obesity and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Female Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (Ovx) and divided into four groups: Sham (n=8), Ovx (n=11), Ovx+ALA2 (n=10), and Ovx+ALA3 (n=6) (ALA 200 and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively; gavage) for 8 weeks. 3T3-L1 cells were used for in vitro study. Results: Rats receiving ALA2 and ALA3 treatment showed significantly lower levels of body weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) mass than those of the Ovx group. ALA improved plasma lipid profiles including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hematoxylin & eosin staining of inguinal WAT showed that ALA treatment reduced Ovx-induced adipocyte size and enhanced uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. Moreover, plasma levels of irisin were markedly increased in ALA-treated Ovx rats. Protein expression of brown fat-specific markers including UCP1, PRDM16, and CIDEA was downregulated by Ovx but markedly increased by ALA. Phosphorylation of AMPK, its downstream acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and its upstream LKB1 were all significantly increased by ALA treatment. In 3T3-L1 cells, administration of ALA (100 and 250 μM) reduced lipid accumulation and enhanced oxygen consumption and UCP1 protein expression, while inhibition of AMPK by dorsomorphin (5 μM) significantly reversed these effects. Conclusion ALA improves estrogen deficiency-induced obesity via browning of WAT through AMPK signaling.

AIM To investigate the purification process for esculin,fraxin,esculetin and fraxetin in Fraxini Cortex by macroporous resin.METHODS Static adsorption experiment was applied to screening resin model,single factor test was adopted in the optimization of purification process,UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was used for identifying main components,after which heatmap was drawn.RESULTS The optimal resin model was ADS-5.The optimal purification process was determined to be 1.1 BV for loading amount,0.75 g/mL for loading concentration,2 BV pure water for washing impurity,and 4 BV 25%ethanol for eluting effective constituents,coumarins demonstrated the total transfer rate,purity and yield of 84.42%,53.28%and 4.79%,respectively.Total 37 constituents were identified,among which coumarins and phenylethanol glycosides were mainly concentrated in 25%ethanol eluent,organic acids,iridoids and flavonoids were mainly concentrated in 95%ethanol eluent.CONCLUSION This stable,feasible and accurate method can characterize the distribution patterns of coumarins in Fraxini Cortex in different eluents of macroporous resin,which provides guidance for further related pharmaceutical research.

Objective:To explore the application of biomechanics principle in the repair of double eyelid disappearance after blepharoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 47 patients (46 females and 1 male) with double eyelid disappearance after blepharoplasty in the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Friendship Plastic Surgical Hospital from July 2018 to December 2022. The patients aged from 19-42 (28±8) years. The repair surgery was performed by increasing the mechanical factors that promoted the double eyelid formation or weakening the mechanical factors that inhibited the double eyelid formation. The overall satisfaction with ocular appearance, and psychological well-being and social function were evaluated with the Face-Q qustionnaires before or after operation.Results:By following-up for 3-24 months, the morphology of upper eyelids in all 47 patients were remarkably improved. 2 patients complained about asymmetry and 1 patient had multiple creases, for whom satisfactory results achieved after re-operation. The remaining patients presented smooth natural double eyelid line, and concave groove deformity when eyes closed were not noticed. The operative effects were satisfactory. After surgery, the scores for ocular satisfaction with facial appearance, psychological well-being and social function were (69.5±10.3), (75.5±13.6) and (68.3±11.3) scores, which were significantly increased than those before operation [(38.7±9.3), (54.8±10.5) and (52.3±8.7) scores], respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusion:More effective and reliable operation results can be obtained in the repair strategies of double eyelid disappearance after blepharoplasty by utilizing the biomechanical mechanism.

Objective To analyze the configuration of testing equipment in blood testing laboratories of blood stations in Shandong Province to facilitate to optimize equipment configuration for blood testing laboratories.Methods Questionnaires were distributed to obtain information on the number,the proportions of domestic and imported equipment,the usage time and the number of annual sample detection for the testing equipment of 17 blood testing laboratories(one laboratory from blood center and 16 laboratories from central blood stations)in Shandong Province,including the equipment for blood group testing,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)testing,sample adding of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),ELISA micro-plate processing and nucleic amplification test(NAT).The testing equipment in the laboratories with different sizes were analyzed in terms of substitutability,localization,number of annual sample detection and average usage time.Results The blood group and ALT testing equipment had low substitutability;the imported equipment for ALT testing and ELISA sample adding had high proportions;the numbers of yearly sample detection of the equipment for ELISA sample adding,ELISA microplate processing and NAT rose significantly with the increase of laboratory sizes(P＜0.05);the equipment for ELISA sample adding and microplate processing had long usage time,and the differences between the usage time of the equipment for ELISA sample adding from the laboratories with different sizes were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The equipment configuration of blood testing laboratories of blood stations in Shandong Province varies greatly,and each laboratory has to take measures based on their own actual situations,such as increasing the number of equipment,purchasing domestic equipment or accelerating equipment updating.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):81-85]

Objective To explore and compare the efficacy and safety of different transurethral enucle-ation procedures for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 215 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to May 2023.According to the surgical procedures,they were divided into plasma resection group(n=81),treated with transurethral plasma resection of the prostate,laser resection group(n=92),treated with transurethral laser resection of the prostate,and green laser enucleation group(n=42),treated with transurethral green laser enucle-ation of the prostate.The three groups were compared in terms of perioperative indicators(surgical time,intraop-erative bleeding volume,bladder flushing time,indwelling catheter time,postoperative hemoglobin concentration,and hospital stay),urodynamic indicators(RUV,IPSS score,Qmax,and QOL score),and postoperative compli-cations.Results The green laser enucleation group and laser resection group demonstrated a significantly higher total effective rate compared to the plasma electrosurgery group(P<0.05).The three groups showed no statisti-cally significant difference in hospital stay(P>0.05),but the green laser enucleation group showed a signifi-cantly shorter surgical time compared to the other two group(P<0.05).The green laser enucleation group and laser resection group had superiority in intraoperative bleeding,bladder flushing time,and indwelling catheter time compared to the plasma resection group,and a significantly higher postoperative hemoglobin concentration compared to the plasma resection group(P<0.05).Repeated measurement analysis of variance showed that the three groups all exhibited significantly decreases in RUV,IPSS score,and QOL score(P<0.05),and a signifi-cantly increase in Qmax at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P<0.05).The laser resection group and green laser enucleation group presented with significant decreases in RUV,IPSS score,and QOL score(P<0.05),and a significantly decrease in Qmax compared to the plasma resection group at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P<0.05).However,the laser resection group and the green laser enucleation group had no statistically signifi-cant difference in RUV,IPSS score,Qmax,and QOL score at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P>0.05).The green laser enucleation group had the lowest total incidence of postoperative complications,following by the laser resection group and plasma resection group in order(7.14%vs.21.74%vs.35.80%,P<0.05).Conclusion The three surgical procedures all have good therapeutic effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia.Transurethral laser prostatectomy and green laser enucleation have superiority to those of transurethral plasma resection of the prostate in efficacy and safety,and they can promote early recovery of patients.Transurethral green laser enucleation is the best in safety.

Objective To study chest computed tomography(CT)manifestations in neonates with chronic granulomatous disease(CGD)to provide clues for early diagnosis of this disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and chest CT scan results of neonates diagnosed with CGD from January 2015 to December 2022 at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital.Results Nine neonates with CGD were included,with eight presenting respiratory symptoms as the initial sign.Chest CT findings included:consolidation in all 9 cases;nodules in all 9 cases,characterized by multiple,variably sized scattered nodules in both lungs;masses in 4 cases;cavities in 3 cases;abscesses in 6 cases;bronchial stenosis in 2 cases;pleural effusion,interstitial changes,and mediastinal lymphadenopathy each in 1 case.CT enhancement scans showed nodules and masses with uneven or ring-shaped enhancement;no signs of pulmonary emphysema,lung calcification,halo signs,crescent signs,bronchiectasis,or scar lesions were observed.There was no evidence of rib or vertebral bone destruction.Fungal infections were present in 8 of the 9 cases,including 6 with Aspergillus infections;three of these involved mixed infections with Aspergillus,with masses most commonly associated with mixed Aspergillus infections(3/4).Conclusions The primary manifestations of neonatal CGD on chest CT are consolidation,nodules,and/or masses,with Aspergillus as a common pathogen.These features can serve as early diagnostic clues for neonatal CGD.

Aim To analyze the anti-A549 and HI299 lung ade-nocarcinoma activities via using examples of baicalin, astragalo-side, hesperidin and cisplatin based on real time cellular analysis (RTCA) technology, and to build a new strategy for EC50 e-valuation reflecting the time-dimensional characteristic. Methods Using RTCA Software Pro for data analysis and GraphPad Prism and Origin Pro plotting, the in vitro anti-A549 and H1299 lung adenocarcinoma activities of baicalin, astragaloside, hesperidin, and cisplatin were characterized using the endpoint method and time dimension, respectively. Results (X) There were significant differences in EC50 values of A549 and H1299 cells at 24 h and 48 h endpoint methods. (2) The correlation coefficient of the curve fitted with the four-parameter equation was > 0. 9, and the dynamic change of EC50 remained relatively stable (the linear fitting of EC50 at adjacent 4 points I slope 1^1) used to calculate the EC50 value within this time dimension. The EC50 of baicalin, astragaloside, hesperidin and cisplatin on A549 cells was 52. 97 ±1.75 плпо! • L~1(16~48 h) , 62.88 ± 2.91 ijunol • L"1 (32.25 -48 h) , 78.84 ±0.33 плпо1 • L"1 (21.5 -29.75 h), 13.57 ±1.54 плпо1 • L_1(27.5 -48 h), respectively; the EC50 of baicalin, astragaloside, hesperidin and cisplatin on H1299 cells was 43. 71 ± 1. 26 |лто1 • L_1 ( 19. 5 -48 h), 47.23 ±1. 19 |лто1 • L_1(14 -48 h) , 39.45 ±0.24 плпо1 • L"1 (12.75 -46.25 h), 25.97 ±4.76 плпо1 • L"1 (10. 25 -48 h) , respectively. The results showed that the time window for the anti-tumor effect of the test solution/drug was different. Conclusions Based on RTCA technology, it is more accurate and reasonable to select EC50 data that exhibit better fitting, stable changes, and time-dimensional characteristics for the evaluation of anti-tumor activity. In addition, this method of distinguishing different effective time of antitumor drugs can provide a reference for the timing of clinical combination drugs, and this approach will also provide a reference for further related studies.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method was developed for determination of three kinds of β-agonists(Clenbuterol(CL),Ractopamine(RAC)and Salbutamol(SAL))residues in animal liver samples.The liver sample homogenates were extracted with organic solvent,followed by clean-up using the automatic magnetic solid-phase extraction(MSPE),and then analyzed using LC-MS/MS.The results showed that the magnetic mixed-mode cation exchange adsorbent(M-MCX)exhibited 34%higher adsorption capacity than the conventional mixed-mode cation exchange(MCX)column.Furthermore,the clean-up was conducted by using an automatic MSPE device,and 8 samples could be simultaneously treated within 30 min.The limits of detection(LOD)were 0.01-0.1 μg/kg,the average recoveries ranged from 88.2%to 110.5%,and the relative standard deviations(RSDs)were in range of 2.9%-10.3%at three spiked levels for the three kinds of β-agonists.Compared with the traditional SPE technique,the present method had many advantages such as simple operation,rapidity and high efficiency,which was suitable for high-throughput and automatic detection of residues in routine analysis.

Objective:To determine the clinical factors affecting Central lymph node metastases (CLNM) of single Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). To predict the value of age for CLNM under different genders and the status of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) .Methods:The clinical data of 4 115 patients with PTMC (≤10.0 mm) and 664 patients with PTC (> 10.0 mm) in Hangzhou First People’s Hospital affiliated to Westlake University Medical School from Jan. 2010 to Aug. 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and the independent risk factors of PTMC and PTC CLNM were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. According to different gender and HT status, the patients were divided into male group, female group, HT group and non-HT group. The optimal age threshold and diagnostic efficacy of CLNM in each subgroup were determined by Receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) .Results:The proportion of CLNM in 3451 PTMCs and 664 PTCs was 27.2% (937/3451) and 58.9% (391/664) ( χ2=256.565, P<0.050), respectively. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed that larger tumor ( OR 1.230), male ( OR 2.085), older age ( OR 0.960) and HT ( OR 0.697) were independent predictors of the occurrence of CLNM in PTMC. Only male ( OR 1.460) and older ( OR 0.963) PTC were independently associated with CLNM. Subgroup analysis showed that the age-predicted AUC of CLNM in male, HT and non-HT patients in PTC were higher than that of PTMC, which were 0.642-0.689 and 0.635-0.659, respectively. The age thresholds of female, HT and non-HT subgroups in PTC were lower than those in PTMC, which were 38.5 to 39.5 years old and 41.5 to 42.5 years old, respectively. Conclusions:Larger tumor, male, older patients and HT can independently predict the risk of CLNM in PTMC, while only male and older people can independently predict the risk of CLNM in PTC. There are certain differences in the age of CLNM occurrence between PTMC and PTC patients with different genders and HT combination status. It is of great significance to correctly understand these differences for providing personalized clinical treatment.

Humans ; Adolescent ; Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Skin Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Cognition ; China ; Skin