A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of dose-length product (DLP) values in CT dose reports by comparing them with the DLP values measured using a pencil-type ionization chamber. Methods Experiments were conducted using four CT scanners with different detector row numbers from two manufacturers (A and B), along with a head phantom and a pencil-type ionization chamber. Other scanning parameters were fixed, while pairwise combinations of kV and mAs were tested. The DLP values were measured under various scanning conditions using the pencil-type ionization chamber (DLP_measured) and the corresponding DLP values in CT dose reports were recorded (DLP_reported). All data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results Differences were observed between DLP_reported and DLP_measured values. The smallest mean absolute value of ΔDLP was approximately 2.526 mGy·cm observed on the 40-row CT scanner of manufacturer A. There was a difference between the ΔDLPs of the four CT scanners. Both DLP_reported and DLP_measured exhibited a linear relationship with mAs. Conclusion The percentage errors between DLP_reported and DLP_measured values for all four CT scanners were within the national standard tolerance of 15%. DLP values in CT dose reports can serve as a reference for assessing patient radiation dose during scanning. However, for radiation dose-related research, data measured using dosimetric instruments such as pencil-type ionization chamber are recommended.

Based on the target recognition ability of split aptamer and intelligent analytical capability of molecular logic gate,in this work,two split aptamers were integrated into"AND"logic gate to construct a novel ortho-nucleic acid fluorescence sensor for simultaneous detection of thrombin and myoglobin.When there was one target,the response of the signal was only a single fluorescence output signal,which was used as an evaluation standard for early low-risk judgment.When two targets coexisted,the split aptamer bound to the target to form a ternary complex and led to the head and tail ortho-nucleic acid effect respectively,and triggered the G4 chain to enhance the fluorescence signal of thioflavin T and the fluorescence signal quenching of Cyanine 3,which could be used as an evaluation criterion for early high-risk judgement.Under the optimal conditions,the linear range for detection of thrombin was 3-200 nmol/L,with a correlation coefficient of 0.9931 and a detection limit of 0.97 nmol/L,and the linear range for detection of myoglobin was 6-400 nmol/L,with a correlation coefficient of 0.9933,and a detection limit of 2.14 nmol/L.The method was applied to simultaneous determination of thrombin and myoglobin in clinical serum samples,and the recoveries were 85.4%-118.3%and 85.8%-119.9%,respectively,with relative standard deviations of less than 6.5%.Compared with the standard method,the relative error range was from-8.8%to 5.6%.In addition,the logical diagnosis results of 4 serum samples were high-risk of acute myocardial infarction in 2 cases and low-risk in 2 cases.The ″AND″ logic gate ortho-nucleic acid fluorescence sensing method showed many advantages such as high selectivity,rapidity,accuracy and simultaneous detection,which offered important reference for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction,and also provided a general detection design strategy and platform for simultaneous detection of biomarkers.

Lentiviral vectors(LVs)are key gene delivery tools for integrating target genes into the host genome,but they may also pose risks of insertional mutagenesis.The vector copy number(VCN)in cells is critical for determining the safety of gene modification.However,the reliability and accuracy of its quantification process are influenced by multiple factors.Developing cell reference materials with specific vector copy numbers represents a viable approach to enhance the reliability and consistency of measurement results,enabling quality control of the quantification process and traceability of outcomes.However,the preparation of such reference materials faces challenges in cell sample design,preparation protocols,and advanced quantification techniques.In this study,T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat-based reference materials with LV gene copy numbers of 1 and 2 copy/cell were developed.A high-precision duplex digital polymerase chain reaction(dPCR)method was established to quantify the LV gene and endogenous genes simultaneously.Additionally,the results of dPCR were cross-validated through next-generation sequencing and flow cytometric analysis.Ultimately,confocal microscopy characterization results showed that the developed cell reference materials had intact morphology.The quantification result of VCN-1 was(1.07±0.11)copy/cell,and that of VCN-2 was(2.09±0.21)copy/cell.These cell reference materials demonstrated compliance with stability and homogeneity requirements,and could be applied for quality control throughout the VCN measurement workflow and metrological traceability,improving the accuracy,comparability,and validity of copy number measurements.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of high-resolution CT (HRCT) imaging features and Ki-67 expression levels for poorly differentiated invasive non-mucinous lung adenocarcinoma (INMA), and to construct and validate a nomogram prediction model based on these factors.Methods:A total of 210 INMA patients who underwent radical surgery at Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from July 2020 to October 2023 and obtained histopathological results were retrospectively included. Based on the degree of lesion differentiation, they were divided into well/moderately differentiated INMA group ( n=152) and poorly differentiated INMA group ( n=58). The general clinical data, HRCT imaging features and Ki-67 expression of the two groups of patients were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze independent influencing factors for poorly differentiated INMA, and a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The diagnostic efficacy of the prediction model was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, and the prediction model was validated by consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age, location, margin, lobulation, vascular convergence, and cavitation between the well/moderately differentiated INMA group and poorly differentiated INMA group (all P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in sex ( χ2=6.65, P=0.010), Ki-67 expression ( U=2.33, P=0.021), nodule size ( t=-3.34, P=0.010), spiculation ( χ2=5.22, P=0.022), pleural indentation ( χ2=17.02, P<0.001), air bronchogram ( χ2=15.54, P<0.001) and nodule type ( χ2=59.67, P<0.001) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that nodule size ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14, P=0.025), nodule type ( OR=8.23, 95% CI: 3.04-22.32, P<0.001) and Ki-67 expression ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.11, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of poorly differentiated INMA. A nomogram prediction model for poorly differentiated INMA was constructed based on the above indicators. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve of the prediction model to predict the occurrence of poorly differentiated INMA was 0.893, and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.70% and 77.60%, respectively. The C-index value of the model was 0.893. The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability was in good agreement with the actual probability. Conclusions:Nodule size, nodule type in HRCT imaging features and Ki-67 expression are independent influencing factors for the occurrence of low differentiation in INMA patients. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on the above indicators has good predictive performance.

Tonifying herbs described in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing frequently possess well-defined efficacy in dispelling pathogenic factors, including eliminating pathogenic factors, eliminating severe wind-disorders, dispelling Bi syndrome, removing blood stasis and resolving hard masses, facilitating urination and defecation, relieving chills and fever, promoting digestion, regulating and smoothing qi movement, treating carbuncles and deep-rooted ulcers, killing the :three worms: (parasites), draining pus and alleviating pain, and treating bone fractures and traumatic injuries. These effects correspond to a broad spectrum of conditions, encompassing immune, digestive, and respiratory system disorders, as well as tumors. These effects are closely related to the taste and compatibility of drugs, and are supported by modern pharmacological studies (such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immune regulation, etc.). This study could provide a novel perspective for the rational clinical application of tonifying herbs and establish a foundation for in-depth research into the multi-efficacy mechanisms of Chinese materia medica.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Shangke Huangshui medicated gauze in the treatment of small-area deep second-degree burn wounds with fire-heat injuring fluid type.Methods Sixty patients who were diagnosed as small-area deep second-degree burn wounds of fire-heat injuring fluid type in Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2024 to July 2024,were selected as the research objects.The patients were randomly divided into trial group and control group by random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The trial group was treated with external application of Shangke Huangshui medicated gauze,and the control group was treated with external application of Silver Sulfadiazine Cream.The treatment lasted for 21 days,and then the patients were followed up for 7 days.The changes of Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score of wound pain,and serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.The wound healing rate,wound healing time,bacterial infection of the wound,and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)During the treatment,there was no fell-off case in the trial group while there was one patient falling off from the control group.Eventually,a total of 59 patients were included in the statistical analysis,including 30 in the trial group and 29 in the control group.(2)On day 14 and 21 of treatment,the wound healing rates of the two groups were significantly higher than those on day 7 of treatment(P＜0.05),and wound healing rates in the trial group on the day 14 and 21 of treatment were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)The time for the complete healing of wound in the trial group was(22.07±2.30)days,which was significantly shorter than that of the control group[(27.07±4.10)days],and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After 7,14 and 21 days of treatment,the VAS scores of wound pain in the two groups were lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the VAS scores in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)On day 7 of treatment,the levels of serum CRP,IL-6 and TNF-α in the two groups were lowered compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)On day 7 of treatment,the positive rate of bacterial culture for wound discharge in the trial group was 6.67%(2/30),which was significantly lower than 27.59%(8/29)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(7)There were no serious adverse events or adverse reactions occurring in the two groups during the trial.Conclusion Shangke Huangshui medicated gauze can accelerate the healing of burn wounds,shorten the wound healing time,reduce the wound infection rate and the level of serum inflammatory factors,and has fewer adverse reactions with high safety.

The chemical constituents of Commiphora myrrha was investigated by column chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, MS, NMR, as well as ECD calculation. Seven compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane-soluble fraction of C. myrrha and their structures were identified as(1S,2R,4S,5R,8S)-guaiane-2-hydroxy-7(11),10(15)-dien-6-oxo-12,8-olide(1), commipholide E(2), myrrhterpenoid H(3), myrrhterpenoid I(4), myrrhterpenoid E(5), 2α-methoxy-8α-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10),7(11)-dien-8,12-olide(6), 8,12-epoxy-1α,9α-hydroxy-eudesma-7,11-diene-6-dione(7). Compound 1 was a new compound and named myrrhterpenoid P. Compound 7 was isolated from Commiphora genus for the first time. Compounds 2, 5, and 6 significantly inhibited nitric oxide(NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with IC_(50) values of(49.67±4.16),(40.80±1.27),(47.22±0.87) μmol·L~(-1), respectively [indomethacin as the positive control, with IC_(50) value of(63.92±2.60) μmol·L~(-1)].
Commiphora/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Resins, Plant/chemistry* ; Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals

The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry* ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Animals