Objective To study the effect of curcumin on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)in high glucose condition and its mechanism.Methods The cultured hBMSCs were divided into the normal group,high glucose group,and high glucose+curcumin group.The early osteogenic differentiation level of the cells in each group was assessed by detecting alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.Alizarin red staining was used to evaluate the formation of mineralized nodules in the late stage of osteo-genic differentiation.The expression of osteogenic-related genes,including Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),osteocalcin(OCN),and type Ⅰ collagen(COL-1),was detected by RT-PCR after 21 days of osteogenic induction.Western blot was used to detect the expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in each group.Furthermore,an HO-1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)model was constructed and its interference efficiency was assessed.The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1)between the high glucose+curcumin group and high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group were compared.Results Compared with the normal group,the high glucose group showed decreased ALP activity,reduced formation of mineralized nodules,decreased expression of osteogenic-related genes(Runx2,OCN,and COL-1),and inhibited expression of HO-1(P＜0.05).Compared with the empty vector group,the siHO-1 group showed significantly reduced expression of HO-1 in cells,indicating successful siRNA interference(P＜0.01).Compared with the high glucose+curcumin group,the expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins(OCN,COL-1,and Runx2)were all decreased in the high glucose+curcumin+siHO-1 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can promote osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs under high glucose environment,which is related to the expression of HO-1.

Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

The powder modification technology was used to improve the powder properties and microstructure of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder, thereby solving the problem of poor solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules. The influence of modifier dosage and grinding time on the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was investigated with the solubility as the evaluation index, and the optimal modification process was selected. The particle size, fluidity, specific surface area, and other powder properties of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder before and after modification were compared. At the same time, the changes in the microstructure before and after modification was observed by scanning electron microscope, and the modification principle was explored by combining with multi-light scatterer. The results showed that after adding lactose for powder modification, the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was significantly improved. The volume of insoluble substance in the liquid of modified Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder obtained by the optimal modification process was reduced from 3.8 mL to 0 mL, and the particles obtained by dry granulation of the modified powder could be completely dissolved within 2 min after being exposed to water, without affecting the content of its indicator components adenosine and allantoin. After modification, the particle size of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder decreased significantly, d_(0.9) decreased from(77.55±4.57) μm to(37.91±0.42) μm, the specific surface area and porosity increased, and the hydrophilicity improved. The main mechanism of improving the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules was the destruction of the "coating membrane" structure on the surface of starch granules and the dispersion of water-soluble excipients. This study introduced powder modification technology to solve the solubility problem of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules, which provided data support for the improvement of product quality and technical references for the improvement of solubility of other similar varieties.
Powders ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Technology ; Plant Extracts ; Particle Size

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the disease spectrums underlying orthostatic intolerance (OI) and sitting intolerance (SI) in Chinese children, and to understand the clinical empirical treatment options. METHODS: The medical records including history, physical examination, laboratory examination, and imagological examination of children were retrospectively studied in Peking University First Hospital from 2012 to 2021. All the children who met the diagnostic criteria of OI and SI were enrolled in the study. The disease spectrums underlying OI and SI and treatment options during the last 10 years were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2 110 cases of OI and SI patients were collected in the last 10 years, including 943 males (44.69%) and 1 167 females (55.31%) aged 4－18 years, with an average of (11.34±2.84) years. The overall case number was in an increasing trend over the year. In the OI spectrum, postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) accounted for 826 cases (39.15%), followed by vasovagal syncope (VVS) (634 cases, 30.05%). The highest proportion of SI spectrum was sitting tachycardia (STS) (8 cases, 0.38%), followed by sitting hypertension (SHT) (2 cases, 0.09%). The most common comorbidity of OI and SI was POTS coexisting with STS (36 cases, 1.71%). The highest proportion of treatment options was autonomic nerve function exercise (757 cases, 35.88%), followed by oral rehydration salts (ORS) (687 cases, 32.56%), metoprolol (307 cases, 14.55%), midodrine (142 cases, 6.73%), ORS plus metoprolol (138 cases, 6.54%), and ORS plus midodrine (79 cases, 3.74%). The patients with POTS coexisting with VVS were more likely to receive pharmacological intervention than the patients with POTS and the patients with VVS (41.95% vs. 30.51% vs. 28.08%, χ²= 20.319, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the proportion of treatment options between the patients with POTS and the patients with VVS. CONCLUSION POTS and VVS in children are the main underlying diseases of OI, while SI is a new disease discovered recently. The number of children with OI and SI showed an increasing trend. The main treatment methods are autonomic nerve function exercise and ORS. Children with VVS coexisting with POTS were more likely to take pharmacological treatments than those with VVS or POTS only.
Child ; Electrolytes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metoprolol ; Midodrine ; Orthostatic Intolerance/therapy* ; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Salts ; Sitting Position ; Syncope, Vasovagal/diagnosis* ; Tilt-Table Test

BACKGROUND: Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common childhood disease that seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate whether pre-treatment baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) values were associated with symptom improvement after metoprolol therapy for children and adolescents with POTS. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 51 children and adolescents with POTS who received metoprolol therapy at the Peking University First Hospital between November 2010 and July 2019. All patients had completed a standing test or basic head-up tilt test and cardiac echocardiography before treatment. Treatment response was evaluated 3 months after starting metoprolol therapy. The pre-treatment baseline LVEF and LVFS values were evaluated for correlations with decreases in the symptom score after treatment (ΔSS). Multivariable analysis was performed using factors with a P value of <0.100 in the univariate analyses and the demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A comparison of responders and non-responders revealed no significant differences in demographic, hemodynamic characteristics, and urine specific gravity (all P > 0.050). However, responders had significantly higher baseline LVEF (71.09% ± 4.44% vs. 67.17% ± 4.88%, t = -2.789, P = 0.008) and LVFS values (40.00 [38.00, 42.00]% vs. 36.79% ± 4.11%, Z = -2.542, P = 0.010) than the non-responders. The baseline LVEF and LVFS were positively correlated with ΔSS (r = 0.378, P = 0.006; r = 0.363, P = 0.009), respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF was independently associated with the response to metoprolol therapy in children and adolescents with POTS (odds ratio: 1.201, 95% confidence interval: 1.039-1.387, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Pre-treatment baseline LVEF was associated with symptom improvement after metoprolol treatment for children and adolescents with POTS.
Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Metoprolol/therapeutic use* ; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of the co-morbidity of vasovagal syncope (VVS) and postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with allergic diseases in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was launched to summarize the clinical data of children with VVS and POTS.They were divided into allergic group and non-allergic group according to the history of allergic diseases.The participants' clinical characteristics were compared between allergic group and non-allergic group using independent sample t test or rank sum test;composition comparisons were completed by Chi-square test.Bi-variate correlation analysis was used to explore the association between eosinophil percentage/count and symptom scores/frequency of syncope episodes.A P value ＜ 0.05 was defined as statistically significant.Results:Sixty-seven children complaining of orthostatic intolerance (43 patients diagnosed as VVS and 24 cases diagnosed as POTS) were enrolled.Totally 21 cases (31％) had allergic diseases,inclu ding allergic rhinitis,atopic eczema,asthma,as well as food allergy.And allergic rhinitis is the most common co-morbidity.There were no significant differences between the two groups in age,gender ratio,height,body weight and basement blood pressure.Compared with the non-allergic group,the allergic group showed later onset age (year) (11 ± 2 vs.9 ± 3,P ＜ 0.05) of orthostatic intolerance and shorter course of the diseases (month) [8.0 (0.1,0.1) vs.24.0 (0.1,144.0),P＜0.05].The frequency of syncope episodes in the allergic group among VVS children (times per month) [2.50 (0.08,30.00) vs.O.25 (0.03,5.00),P ＜ 0.05] was much higher than that in the non-allergic group.Additionally,the eosinophil percentage (％) [3.50 (0.70,0.59) vs.1.65 (0.30,6.20),P＜0.001] and eosino phil count (×109) [0.18 (0.05,0.71) vs.0.10 (0.02,0.38),P＜0.001] were increased in the allergic group.However,there were no remarkable differences in the results of head-up tilt test in children with VVS or in the maximum change of heart rate during standing test in children with POTS were involved.Conclusion:Allergic diseases are common co-morbidities in children with both VVS and POTS.Allergic rhinitis is the most common co-morbidity.Children with co-morbidity of VVS/POTS and allergic diseases had a later onset of symptoms of orthostatic intolerance,and were more likely to be hospitalized for intensive attacks of symptoms during a short period when compared with those without allergic diseases.Children diagnosed as VVS combined with allergic diseases had more frequent episodes of syncope.

Genuine medicinal materials with special characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is recognized as high quality medicine. Both ancient records and modern research considered that the origin is an important reason for the formation of genuine medicinal materials. However, blindly transplanting of genuine medicinal materials has led to the quality decline and counterfeit medicines appeared in production or sale progress, which may increase the risk of accidents in TCM. Frequent accidents emerged in Chinese herbal affects its export. What's more, it is a great threat to the medication safety in TCM clinical. There is an urgent need to implement traceability systems of TCM, which could provide convenient information record and traceability of TCM circulation. This paper reviews a variety of technical methods for genuine medicinal materials traceability, and proposed the establishment of genuine medicinal materials traceability system based on two-dimensional code and network database.
Databases, Factual ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; economics ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To evaluate the effect of an integrated control strategy and to quantify the spatial-temporal variation of infected snails in the bottomland areas after the strategy was implemented.Methods Based on the geographic database of infected snail distribution at the village level during 2004-2010 in Anxiang county,Hunan province,spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial scan statistics were applied to analyze the spatial-temporal characteristics on the distribution of infected snails.Results The number of embankments with infected snails in Anxiang county decreased from 23 in 2004 to 10 in 2010,while the rate of frame with infected snail in embankments decreased from 4.32‰ in 2004 to 0.12‰ in 2010.The spatial distribution of infected snails was nonrandom,only in 2004 and 2005 with Moran's I=0.21 (P＜0.10) and Moran's I=0.13 (P＜0.10) respectively.Data from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis showed that the number of villages with H-H types of auto-correlation model had been gradually decreasing.The results of SaTScan statistics appeared the same as from the local spatial auto-correlation analysis,showing that the number of areas with increased risk was decreasing.Conclusion The comprehensive measures with emphasis on infectious source control seemed effective for schistosomiasis control program.The current distribution characteristics provided us with evidence that the resource assignment could be more reasonably implemented so as to control schistosomiasis in a more effective way.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sperm acrosin activity on the IVF-ET outcome.

METHODSWe analyzed sperm parameters, morphology and acrosin activity for 909 infertile husbands by computer-assisted self-assessment (CASA), modified Papanicolaou staining and N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA), respectively, and detected the rates of fertilization, cleavage, quality embryos, embryo cryopreservation, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion. The wives were identified as normal or with mere oviduct problems.

RESULTSThe rate of normal sperm morphology and sperm motility, vitality, rapid progressive velocity and concentration were significantly lower in the abnormal acrosin activity group than in the normal one (P < 0.01). Significant positive correlations were observed between acrosin activity and the above-mentioned semen parameters (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the number of retrieved eggs, the rates of cleavage, quality embryos, embryo cryopreservation, non-embryo transfer cycles and miscarriages, and the number of transferred embryos between the two groups (P > 0.05). The fertilization rate, the percentage of transfer cycles with only 1 embryo and the rate of implantation and clinical pregnancy were notably higher in the normal acrosin activity group than in the abnormal one (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSperm acrosin activity is closely related with semen parameters, and it helps to predict the sperm fertilizing capacity and IVF-ET outcome.

Acrosin ; metabolism ; Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; enzymology